tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78982679380514349932024-03-13T02:04:42.643-05:00The Spencer Family's Disney BlogCaptures our various Disney adventures, beginning in 2007, including our summer Mediterranean cruise and fall trip to the International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World. In 2008, we had the Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Disney Magic in June and our 6th trip to the International Food & Wine Festival in October. In 2010, we've done the Disney Marathon and will be again doing the 11 Night Med cruise in May.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-87923713962889486662012-12-06T17:18:00.003-06:002012-12-06T17:18:51.602-06:00Eastbound Panama Canal Cruise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbKQjrSXxKIGE3LJoa08luIlS3SyrR7nAwBNf_KRM9UTe6lJ0mCr01DN8soJoTW4REngQHvgydo5daIngcDNKormlxiwosqJhSc-FzaH1oMIGt4sv2CEpJW7FWM1fArkp8CdcWiEvHRg/s1600/6246899_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbKQjrSXxKIGE3LJoa08luIlS3SyrR7nAwBNf_KRM9UTe6lJ0mCr01DN8soJoTW4REngQHvgydo5daIngcDNKormlxiwosqJhSc-FzaH1oMIGt4sv2CEpJW7FWM1fArkp8CdcWiEvHRg/s320/6246899_orig.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
OK, Hopefully I'm able to do better on this cruise blog than I did on our last med blog. Part of the blame lies with me but I lay most at the feet of the Disney Cruise Line internet service provided who blocked access to blogger.com so I couldn't post anything while on the ship. My only access time was what little time I had in port where there were facilities / areas where there was free internet.<br />
<br />
So, having said that, let's cross our fingers and hope for the best this time. <br />
<br />
Here is our itinerary for the next two plus weeks.<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Friday, December 7<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
Flight to Ontario, CA to visit the Hutchinson clan<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Saturday, December
8<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Disneyland</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sunday, December 9<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
Depart on Disney's Wonder @ 5 pm<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monday, December
10<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Sea</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Tuesday, December 11<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cabo San Lucas – Guests Ashore @11:15 am, Guests Onboard
@4:30 pm </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Private tour - Whale Watch Cabo Tour with clukas (Chris)
family</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Wednesday,
December 12<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Puerto Vallarta – Guests Ashore @10:30 am, Guests Onboard
@3:30 pm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DCL Canopy Tour @ 10:45 am to 3:45 pm</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Thursday, December
13<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Sea</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Friday, December
14<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Sea</div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></i><span style="color: blue;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Saturday, December
15<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Sea</div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sunday, December 16<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Sea</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monday, December
17<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Panama Canal Cruising 6 am to 6 pm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Tuesday, December
18<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cartagena, Columbia – Guests Ashore @9:30 am, Guests Onboard
@5:30 pm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Private tour - Marelvy Peña-Hall (LindaBabe) @ 10:30 am at
bottom of gangway</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pirate Deck Party @9:45 to 10:30 pm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Wednesday,
December 19<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
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At Sea</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Thursday, December
20<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
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At Sea</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Friday, December
21<sup>st</sup></u></b></div>
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Costa Maya – Guests Ashore @7:45 am, Guests Onboard @4:30 pm</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Tropicante</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"> Beach Trip</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Saturday, December
22<sup>nd</sup></u></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">At Sea</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sunday, December
23<sup>rd</sup></u></b></div>
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Miami, FL @ 7:30 am</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monday, December
24<sup>th</sup></u></b></div>
Flight HomeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-65964180665648337752010-05-25T09:18:00.003-05:002010-05-25T09:39:54.748-05:00Touring In Tunisia<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tunis, our port city, is the capital of Tunisia. Tunisia is located in Northern Africa and our visit aboard the Disney Magic marks our first visit to the continent. Tunisia is located between the countries of Algeria and Libya. The coast of Tunisia was settled in the 10th century B.C. by the Phoenicians. In the 6th century B.C. Carthage rose to power but was conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C. Afterwards, it was held by Vandals and Byzantines for two centuries and in the 7th century it was conquered by Arabs. The region became known as Ifriqiya and the Berber population was converted to Islam. Successive Muslim dynasties ruled, interrupted by Berber rebellions. The reigns of the Aghlabids in the 9th century and of the Zirids (from 972), Berber followers of the Fatmids, were especially prosperous. When the Zirids angered the Fatimids in Cairo (1050) the latter ravaged Tunisia. The coasts were briefly held by the Normans of Sicily in the 12th century. In 1159, Tunisia was conquered by the Almohad caliphs of Morocco. The Almohads were succeeded by the Berber Hafsids under whom Tunisia prospered. In the last years of the Hafsids, Spain seized many of the coastal cities, but there were recovered for Islam by the Ottoman Turks. Under its Turkish governors, the beys, Tunisia attained virtual independence. In the late 16th century the coast became a pirate stronghold. The Hussein dynasty of beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFZltnEcsLgakRKQxdLqq0JBuJADsiOS-suWjjD2vecqdPQH49wsrMpS4_TE4GExi9jxPYAjPRedVgO8Jt3DF46HHgXEMZif8TbHGqe7uB8WWNoWmZ_5RAPeR3Hkf46DWcJo9ATAzxSs/s1600/Tunisia+Camels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFZltnEcsLgakRKQxdLqq0JBuJADsiOS-suWjjD2vecqdPQH49wsrMpS4_TE4GExi9jxPYAjPRedVgO8Jt3DF46HHgXEMZif8TbHGqe7uB8WWNoWmZ_5RAPeR3Hkf46DWcJo9ATAzxSs/s320/Tunisia+Camels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We actually docked in La Goulette, not Tunis and our ship was greeted by several camels, their handlers and two bands playing music. Tunis was the only port where we booked a Disney Cruise Line tour. We had not found any private tour guides on Cruise Critic or Trip Advisor with good ratings so decided to stay with the safety of Disney. Our excursion, as I’d posted before our cruise in the blog, was a Jeep 4x4 excursion into Tunisia. All of the Jeeps were in fact Toyota Landcruisers or similar large engine SUVs…there wasn’t a “Jeep” in the lot (thank goodness, since Jeeps aren’t the most reliable vehicles). There were 8 vehicles, each with 5 to 6 guests in them. We traveled in a convoy fashion – always sticking together. Truth be told, we really only needed the 4x4 capability and high ground clearance for 1 spot in the whole trip and that was for a bridge that had either been washed out or was under construction. All other travel was on paved roads or graded gravel. Our first stop was in what appeared to be a “made for tourists” example of a Berber village. There were only a few people there and they seemed to be there only to play a little music, bake a little bread and “populate” the exhibit. I asked our Disney person on the trip if we were going to see a “real” town at some point. He said he didn’t know. Hmmmm? We did enjoy the Berber bread with honey and olive oil and the spiced tea. The elaborate tiled bath area was also worth a look.</div></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNFYz8yAF3LoTNNZ8eEzeQAjV1v6TP0MXQxKtkSeXn0gdDa0NcpdfiEMADwyuHGePRObEnxmF-Rfrhlk5l1m9GNLAa_pnXW_0xrgRQlLxWaCsI_gN_TPFawfUTy7MKWUC3SkVbukcNx4/s1600/Tunisia+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNFYz8yAF3LoTNNZ8eEzeQAjV1v6TP0MXQxKtkSeXn0gdDa0NcpdfiEMADwyuHGePRObEnxmF-Rfrhlk5l1m9GNLAa_pnXW_0xrgRQlLxWaCsI_gN_TPFawfUTy7MKWUC3SkVbukcNx4/s200/Tunisia+Town.jpg" width="150" /></a>We got back in our SUVs and made our way to stop #2. On the way we passed a small pickup truck loaded down with beds – headboards, footboards and mattresses. We expected the truck to turn over at any time given its high center of gravity. We also passed a number of people riding their donkeys or leading one piled high with varying types of goods. I found the Tunisia countryside to be really interesting. There were olive trees everywhere. The landscape (minus the olive trees) reminded me of Arizona or even northern California with the hills and dry land.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stop #2 turned out to be a real town. Our convoy of SUVs entered the small town square where there was a little market going on – simple things like sheets, blankets and various household items. We were lead to a high point in the town, past the local mosque, where we could take pictures. We also visited a typical house, which had few furnishings but seemed to be well made. Inside was a woman in traditional dress who wove/braided grass into various craft items. Most of the locals were dressed in this traditional manner; however, I was struck when I noticed a few women wearing Crocs – the rubber shoes that have become so popular in the U.S. The younger kids seemed to be wearing more Westernized clothes. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9Pdq9kev9WSPbizDToXLnOJlXfXaOQ89dz8Q5NG5caoX60SwqYR-g9GT9lCDDzZDBSjVVv9dxi-ff2LHI_ibrFfyupAdpF2OqjtRQ-T_Ei9P6Z51kroLj99yLW95jlhi4Xo9JtIN3Us/s1600/Tunisia+Ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9Pdq9kev9WSPbizDToXLnOJlXfXaOQ89dz8Q5NG5caoX60SwqYR-g9GT9lCDDzZDBSjVVv9dxi-ff2LHI_ibrFfyupAdpF2OqjtRQ-T_Ei9P6Z51kroLj99yLW95jlhi4Xo9JtIN3Us/s200/Tunisia+Ruins.jpg" width="186" /></a>Soon it was time to get back in our SUVs and head to stop #3, which was some Roman ruins. These were pretty interesting but I knew they would pale in comparison to what we would see soon in Rome. We spent about 20 minutes at this third stop before moving onto our final stop nearby where we had lunch. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdMxyatWUCBpxav8t67DOQ92O-HFPsmy_4bAbNH56Q7owo-s9XLMWaz2P6kue6rdO1vFmzuUCG1zbfela52VMlrtSVu1eycJXK4T2tePkCtde0b0TdIq5cOB-f0nHDJqae6rHZFscdyU/s1600/Tunisia+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdMxyatWUCBpxav8t67DOQ92O-HFPsmy_4bAbNH56Q7owo-s9XLMWaz2P6kue6rdO1vFmzuUCG1zbfela52VMlrtSVu1eycJXK4T2tePkCtde0b0TdIq5cOB-f0nHDJqae6rHZFscdyU/s200/Tunisia+Meal.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This last stop was at a restaurant/resort. We had a nice salad, bread, some type of grilled bird (we joked that it might have been crow), cous cous and fruit. It was a good meal. After about 45 minutes, we were on the road again for our 1 hour drive back to the port. All in all, we give this tour a thumbs up but it was a lot of driving.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-62902450182179070482010-05-23T08:59:00.005-05:002010-05-23T09:14:37.960-05:00Our Day In MaltaThe Maltese Archipelago, consisting of the inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino are located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 52 miles south of Sicily. The history of the Maltese Islands goes back some 7,000 years, to the dawn of civilization. Malta and Gozo are the home to mysterious prehistoric temples that pre-date the pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge in England.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Roman Empire dominated the islands from about 218 BC. Malta changed hands a number of times after the Roman rule, most notably under the Arabs from 870 AD. Other occupiers included the Byzantines, the Normans, the Swabians and the Arogonese. In 1530, the Knights of the Order of Saint John arrived in Malta. During their rule, the Order fought off the great Ottoman Empire of Turkey in the famous great siege of Malta. The period of leadership under the knights ended in 1798 when Napoleon Bonaparte took the islands, but this occupation was short lived when the Maltese revolted against the French and the islands fell under the protection of the British Empire in 1800. Malta became an independent state within the British Commonwealth in 1964 and became a Republic ten years later. Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation comprising an archipelago of seven islands, three of which are inhabited. It has a warm, inviting Mediterranean climate. The main island is 17 miles long and 9 miles wide.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfgNQfItBt4qDx-MbS9qmPamXGT5Td_sQj7m2TbF5vqnfP6dZlGqJS_NJq-U7kK8NyQFbZkp0KaIMIEmpdVvVmTDGzMUPFFJD-uvtD_Lonp80w8qjuW647JK8H7uVS9QYRdwf3lZv4WM/s1600/Malta+Fishing+Village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfgNQfItBt4qDx-MbS9qmPamXGT5Td_sQj7m2TbF5vqnfP6dZlGqJS_NJq-U7kK8NyQFbZkp0KaIMIEmpdVvVmTDGzMUPFFJD-uvtD_Lonp80w8qjuW647JK8H7uVS9QYRdwf3lZv4WM/s320/Malta+Fishing+Village.jpg" /></a>Our tour of Malta started off a bit rocky as we were expecting our private tour provider, Duncan Zammit of UPhotoMalta, to meet us at the cruise ship pier at 8:30 am when the ship docked but he didn’t show up until 9 am. I don’t know if it was my mistake or his but regardless, once the tour started, the hiccup at the beginning was quickly forgotten. Duncan was very knowledgeable about Malta, where he’d been born, raised and still lived. We started off by driving about a few spots in Valletta, including a park across from where the Magic was docked, allowing us to get some great photos. We then headed off to Marsaxlokk, an authentic fishing village. The boats in the harbor were all shapes and sizes, from the smallest one person boat to large boats. Most were brightly painted in blue, yellow, green, red and brown. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zg-N9tu9xKVQjuBiTk5lbJM-nf8a6Mo_kv1DzWtnlLyGUpWF9Mkru1EB9AJx7Ko7vgH5XPim-QQiyFN7KjtUr-dKA44av7DVXUWZYlXe4Asf1D1qYyBsQPLkEMHT9X7CjIQjN6ovTS4/s1600/Malta+Mdina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zg-N9tu9xKVQjuBiTk5lbJM-nf8a6Mo_kv1DzWtnlLyGUpWF9Mkru1EB9AJx7Ko7vgH5XPim-QQiyFN7KjtUr-dKA44av7DVXUWZYlXe4Asf1D1qYyBsQPLkEMHT9X7CjIQjN6ovTS4/s320/Malta+Mdina.jpg" /></a>From there we headed to Mdina, the old walled part of Malta. However, before entering Mdina, we stopped at a local tea shop/bar for a local pastry filled with peas (pastizzi) and a hot, spicy tea. Both were very good. The Mdina was walled, and where we entered it was about 20 feet thick. The roads were little more than alleyways, limiting traffic to residents and, during certain hours, small trucks for delivery of supplies and goods.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then drove into what seemed like the interior of the island where there was a distinct focus on agriculture. We saw various types of vegetables being grown. It was interesting that the farmers had to erect greenhouse-like structures, not to accelerate the growing process, but instead to protect the crops from the high winds. From there we visited several overlooks from which we saw beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs and scenery. All the while, we were talking with Duncan, who we found to be very personable and funny. His easy-going nature and willingness to share personal insights about Malta and its people made our half-day tour one we will remember.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-1570775279498086832010-05-17T10:12:00.001-05:002010-05-17T10:12:59.853-05:00Embarkation and Our First Sea Day (plus some teaser photos of Malta)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwLuvnU1pySDqTBx5OG0Mqnq_-6cU1OWG1GYpG3-tBrfsumRc0psaoPTkR5oD16K2MqXn65I97Dh34nHHbSIxm5oL4nxQdoiI4Tb37_Yl7eCkOC9PJOY5yKzJomC7-w7gOhx5MYC2XHA/s1600/Med+Cruise+2010-1+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwLuvnU1pySDqTBx5OG0Mqnq_-6cU1OWG1GYpG3-tBrfsumRc0psaoPTkR5oD16K2MqXn65I97Dh34nHHbSIxm5oL4nxQdoiI4Tb37_Yl7eCkOC9PJOY5yKzJomC7-w7gOhx5MYC2XHA/s320/Med+Cruise+2010-1+058.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>I'm taking advantage of free internet on the cruise port walkway, down near the far end of the row of restaurants and shops, there is free wi-fi internet. The wi fi is just past the ATM near a shop called Bristow Potteries and there is another called Sterling Jewelry. Back to the embarkation day.<br />
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Well, somehow I just deleted two paragraphs of typing! Uggghhh. How frustrating. Anyway, from the time we got out of the taxi to when we boarded the ship was just under 30 minutes so I guess we arrived in a lull period. I heard from other people that boarded about 2:30 that it was busier but they also mentioned some computer problems so that probably contributed to the backup. Once aboard we walked around to get Brian used to the layout since he'd not been on board since 2001. At 3 pm, we made our way down to Promenade Lounge where we met up with more than 120 of our fellow cruisers who had been posting on the DIS boards about this cruise for quite a few months, where we've been helping each other plan and research the ports. We handed out lanyards and chatted until we had to break up to attend the mandatory muster drill at 4 pm (was scheduled for 5 pm). <br />
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The Sail Away party was held at 4:45 pm even though we didn't actually leave the port until 9:30 pm. I guess Disney decided after its first cruise on 4/24 that more guests would participate if it was held during the day when it was warmer.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The 6:30 welcome aboard show was the typical show, with entertainers giving us a sample of their comedy and magic coming up during the cruise. Dinner was good and I'm drawing a blank about what we did after that. I think we crashed, still suffering from jet lag.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiM17FDEFFGDQ9Uj1oZo8A5YT7zIlOJuH94fJnCb5WoexBnf50nmE-9HxckEK_EP5ri_gqCdpQobyTX4fBACcVKAwZ8nqXwGQNedtnuEJV8SWEgHsDuM1GJAwBUEq1k0NlN0bCRyYpQw/s1600/Med+Cruise+2010+Palo+Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiM17FDEFFGDQ9Uj1oZo8A5YT7zIlOJuH94fJnCb5WoexBnf50nmE-9HxckEK_EP5ri_gqCdpQobyTX4fBACcVKAwZ8nqXwGQNedtnuEJV8SWEgHsDuM1GJAwBUEq1k0NlN0bCRyYpQw/s320/Med+Cruise+2010+Palo+Small.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next day was our first sea day where we cruised down to Malta and the seas were pretty choppy. Wave heights were announced at 8 - 13 feet and they were coming across the ship making for quite a side to side rocking motion. We had our first DIS Group Brunch in Palo and it was really nice to be in the private room at one table where we could all chat and get to know one another better. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the brunch was a private DIS wine tasting set up by rashdecision (Rob) in the Sessions Lounge. We had 6 wines to taste, accompanied by white and dark chocolate, which was a nice touch to illustrate how the taste of the wines changed when paired with the chocolate. As if that wasn't enough drinking, Brian talked me into a beer tasting in Diversions at 3 pm. We had 5 beers - Stella, Newcastle, Guinness, Sam Adams one other - Beck's perhaps? Anyway, these were half size glasses so it was quite a "tasting" of beer. I think after this we handed out some fish extender gifts and then got ready for Formal Night photos and the "Twice Charmed" show. We took a good 3 or 4 nice family pics so I guess we'll see how they turned out tonight after I get back on the ship. Susan, Katy and I finished up the night with Heath Hyche's adult show and I have to say Health doesn't suck anymore. He's gotten better but his routine still included some routines that didn't quite click. Tomorrow is Tunis, Tunisia for us and it's supposed to be a long day so I'm not sure when my next update will be. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BlmeS9ulASf7ZLn1gt8IBeiPFoafbtBMU9WumUcuPKL3Rp2COnsvh8UYuuSZ7Pp9zjRdpr5SNhv4n49Q6fctqiv3oTKDiCatNo5rmGGl2CvzC5m7A39tOF5l7nXWKN9i5CE3Z0I0L_c/s1600/Med+Cruise+2010+Smalll+Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BlmeS9ulASf7ZLn1gt8IBeiPFoafbtBMU9WumUcuPKL3Rp2COnsvh8UYuuSZ7Pp9zjRdpr5SNhv4n49Q6fctqiv3oTKDiCatNo5rmGGl2CvzC5m7A39tOF5l7nXWKN9i5CE3Z0I0L_c/s320/Med+Cruise+2010+Smalll+Magic.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCJS_V-ITgkWIW9IzCfeWjEvPFo1v3swo8dYzEv9uVnIxtQQbY2FAuRLT8RjoFnjVZI9XijzfzgXVoKvrl8dfEJKwbvpuymgo6WXmGUA5tdaN-3BmoDA3bl1unBcpAH6TxclvPcHaWkk/s1600/Med+Cruise+2010-1+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCJS_V-ITgkWIW9IzCfeWjEvPFo1v3swo8dYzEv9uVnIxtQQbY2FAuRLT8RjoFnjVZI9XijzfzgXVoKvrl8dfEJKwbvpuymgo6WXmGUA5tdaN-3BmoDA3bl1unBcpAH6TxclvPcHaWkk/s320/Med+Cruise+2010-1+100.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-14975714926849837912010-05-15T04:12:00.001-05:002010-05-15T04:14:30.946-05:00We've Arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrweQKNDx8cLcGr5vskpEgKk1BeqqSnR7lWxTfUlqrru0p5vMSHJztpO_08Li5tICJ3TagoMKcRYZztiK9HOXPoU9IVXH2Z8TEUpxAQr5XQ-G8ZONszZFFnezOZ6UUvq-hplDsfIVcXk/s1600/3650921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrweQKNDx8cLcGr5vskpEgKk1BeqqSnR7lWxTfUlqrru0p5vMSHJztpO_08Li5tICJ3TagoMKcRYZztiK9HOXPoU9IVXH2Z8TEUpxAQr5XQ-G8ZONszZFFnezOZ6UUvq-hplDsfIVcXk/s320/3650921.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>Things started out terribly for us. With all my focus on the ash cloud over the last few days I'd neglected to pay any attention to the weather back in the US. When we arrived at the Huntsville, AL airport on Thursday morning that all changed. As time for our flight approached, American Airlines notified us we were on an indefinite hold for weather in Chicago. When I pulled up the weather on weather.com I could see severe storms on top of Chicago with no letup in sight as storms extended from Illinois back southwest to Oklahoma - it was going to be storming for a long time. I went to the check-in counter and spoke to the agent there and explained calmly and nicely that we needed to get to JFK to catch a flight to Barcelona today so we could make our Mediterranean cruise departing on Saturday. American came through and got us all moved over to a Delta flight departing in 50 minutes! Better yet, our original flight was connecting from Chicago to LaGuardia and we were going to have to transfer by bus or cab to JFK. With the Delta flight, we went to Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. and from there directly to JFK. The only question I had in my mind was whether or not our bags would make it, but long story short, every one of our bags did make it!<br />
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We were able to meet up with DIS family ICollectBelle at JFK and had a nice chat with them while waiting for our flight to Barcelona. After 8.5 hours we landed in a cool, rainy Barcelona. Processing through customs was smooth. Just make sure you find a "Non-EU" line to go through. Our only hiccup was baggage claim. It was so slow - we waited a good hour and ten minutes before finally collecting all our bags. There must have been some kind of break down somewhere. No biggie - we arrived on time and our bags made it too! For those reading this that will be cruising later, there are PLENTY of taxis waiting at the airport. The four of us plus 5 bags, 3 backpacks and a camera bag were fitted (tightly) into what we in the US would characterize as small-medium size vehicle. I didn't see how the driver could get the bags in there but he did.<br />
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We stayed at the Novotel Barcelona City, which is further away from the port that it shows on Tripadvisor. The good news is that it's a short two block walk to the Glories metro station. We bought the 10 trip metro passes and we've had no problems at all using the metro to get anywhere we need to go. It's clean and very efficient. After a 3 hour or so nap, we met up with fellow DISer "sayhello" and walked Las Ramblas. We had dinner at Amaya restaurant consisting of a sausage assortment, a truffled cannaloni, sizzling shrimp with garlic and Spanish tortilla/frittata, toasted bread topped with tomato and a pitcher of sangria.<br />
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After dinner, we headed to the Metro to see the Monjuic magic fountain show at 9 pm. We met several other DISers including rashdecision (Rob) and his family, ggleigh (Tina, Andrew and Rachel), ICollectBelle (Donna), Appleguy (Gary) and their family, Pinmeister (Frank & Nancy). The fountain shows were neat - the third show being all Disney themed. Definitely well worth a visit! Tomorrow - the Magic!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-3100419081550960312010-05-12T10:40:00.000-05:002010-05-12T10:40:49.151-05:00Tomorrow's D (Departure) Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJJ4HlDirqmAWzmEP86wOK0M6bpTZaGtFvd3Mgt9yqHr-Mgk-pG23WwuNd8ER81y_f_Mo7FLeCSfqO-P-rG9-aKenIyWLUcl_ywFT7-xSis9u0-5Mwj8nN9mzUTYDkpVe5IDm9_fu74M/s1600/iceland-volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJJ4HlDirqmAWzmEP86wOK0M6bpTZaGtFvd3Mgt9yqHr-Mgk-pG23WwuNd8ER81y_f_Mo7FLeCSfqO-P-rG9-aKenIyWLUcl_ywFT7-xSis9u0-5Mwj8nN9mzUTYDkpVe5IDm9_fu74M/s320/iceland-volcano.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
The departure day is rapidly approaching and the only thing standing between us and Barcelona is a ash-belching Icelandic volcano, with a name only two guys (Brynjulfur & Ragnheidur) in Iceland can pronounce - Eyjafjallajokull. Grrr...<br />
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We've stopped our mail, newpaper (yes, we're among the few that actually still do read a newspaper), and will be dropping our dog (Oliver) and our daughter's dog (Bree) off at the kennel this afternoon. We've yet to put anything into a suitcase yet, but have been working on our packing lists and gathering our stuff together in order to be ready to pack it. We've also notified the bank and credit card company that will be traveling out of the country so they'll know (hopefully) not to freeze our cards while we're away. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhMDwN1Hou5HqsGBTqvEEe9zWaHemDrgkc0Dz29i1pLW6hWggmHVvkBGKoBse30f01fD2RtMYgwRAZEw87hpULFWPfc4hoYjVNKcbzPK-zusXT4oyTPAtp5hYxkL_IAfQ3A7FWPjmgOE/s1600/fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhMDwN1Hou5HqsGBTqvEEe9zWaHemDrgkc0Dz29i1pLW6hWggmHVvkBGKoBse30f01fD2RtMYgwRAZEw87hpULFWPfc4hoYjVNKcbzPK-zusXT4oyTPAtp5hYxkL_IAfQ3A7FWPjmgOE/s320/fountain.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>Our first flight in the morning departs at 6:05 am from Huntsville to Chicago. We then fly from Chicago to New York (LaGuardia), where we'll catch a shuttle to JFK and then (knock on wood) catch our 8.5 hour flight to Barcelona departing at 6:25 pm. If all goes well, we'll arrive in Barcelona at about 8:30 am on 5/14. We're staying in the Novotel Barcelona City hotel. We have plans to meet up with some of our fellow cruisers from the DISboards.com at the Montjuic Magic Fountain around 9 pm. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-62348143775711015382010-04-30T13:16:00.001-05:002010-04-30T13:18:53.350-05:00We'll Be In Barcelona in Two Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bruceeisner.com/fiximage/gaudi_barcelona.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="25" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.bruceeisner.com/fiximage/gaudi_barcelona.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>It's kind of hard to believe but in two weeks we'll be in Barcelona Spain, touring the city and looking forward to boarding the Disney Magic. Since my last post, I've gotten to know many more of our fellow cruisers through the DISboards.com thread for our cruise. To help organize and share the cruise planning information, I set up a website called <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1633353413" linkindex="26">"</a><span id="weebly_site_title"><a href="http://5-15-10-medcruisers.weebly.com/" linkindex="27">Disney Magic Med Cruisers - May 15, 2010"</a>. One of the things I like best about the web site is the Roll Call section where we have posted the names and pictures of many of our fellow cruisers. This way we get to know each other a bit better before we actually meet on the ship. As we've done on our last two Disney cruises, we've set up or joined private tours at most of the ports of call. Below are links to the web sites of each of the tour providers:</span><br />
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<span id="weebly_site_title">Valletta, Malta - <a href="http://www.uphotomalta.com/" linkindex="28">UPhotoMalta </a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span id="weebly_site_title">Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome) and La Spezia (Florence), Italy - <a href="http://www.rome-car-tours.com/tours.htm" linkindex="29">Rudy's Touring Service</a></span><br />
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<span id="weebly_site_title">Villefranche, France - <a href="http://www.dream-tours.com/" linkindex="30">Dream Tours</a> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span id="weebly_site_title">As of right now, we're doing our one and only Disney Cruise Line (DCL) tour in Tunis, Tunisia, which is the Jeep 4x4 Experience. Here is a description of this tour:</span><br />
<span id="weebly_site_title"><br />
</span><br />
<b>On this tour you will:</b><br />
<ul><li>Proceed to the <b>Berber village of Sidi Jedidi</b>, known for its hot thermal waters, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful landscape. </li>
<li>Enjoy some local food in the "Mtir center," comprised of a complex of traditionally built rooms. Each room is called Dar, and the entire block is called "Douar." Here you will have the opportunity to taste typical Tunisian specialties including Berber bread, olive oil, honey, Tunisian pastries and mint tea.</li>
<li>Continue to your second stop, the <b>Berber village of Jeradou</b>; one of a few Berber villages in the Dorsal mountains. The village rests on a mountain pinnacle along the road that leads to the Zawiyya shrine and mosque. There are also some small Roman ruins in a nearby olive field. </li>
<li>Drive in an <b>air-conditioned Jeep to Zaghouan</b>. </li>
<li>Enjoy a <b>30-minute guided walking tour</b> of <b>The Water Temple of Zaghouan</b>. Commonly referred to by its French name, Temple des Eaux, it dates back to Roman times and was not actually a temple; it was a magnificent fountain with 12 niches built to hold life-size statues representing the 12 months of the year. <b>Note: </b>This tour includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking at a steady pace, part of which will be on cobblestones and/or uphill, including steps.</li>
<li>Lunch at the Dar Zaghouan restaurant.</li>
<li>Drive back to the pier. </li>
</ul>I have not yet set up anything for us in the port of Ajaccio, Corsica. Nothing like waiting until the last minute! Our plan will be either to take it easy and maybe do one of the bus/train tours and maybe visit a local beach OR I might rent a car so we can drive into the interior of the island and see some of the sites, like <a href="http://scenicworld.de/gallery_France_Corsica_8.html" linkindex="31">Les Calanches</a>. We'll see.<br />
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</tbody></table><span id="weebly_site_title"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-13656438260094522992010-02-11T15:10:00.000-06:002010-02-11T15:10:20.238-06:002010 Disney Med Cruise Itinerary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcaY_98umhUVFBlSZT5BEIi6p-T0qBVfTFjkzn_EZipZfN1MZuAJ3iGyBvwLTLTZIiqBUriwdqLu_xXtFGeyLCnmEypvWzw6zFwvbCEessPfI_mADPPpUcOrNnnsh8aEw58L5ACY_Ueg/s1600-h/disneymagicvirtintro.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="18" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcaY_98umhUVFBlSZT5BEIi6p-T0qBVfTFjkzn_EZipZfN1MZuAJ3iGyBvwLTLTZIiqBUriwdqLu_xXtFGeyLCnmEypvWzw6zFwvbCEessPfI_mADPPpUcOrNnnsh8aEw58L5ACY_Ueg/s320/disneymagicvirtintro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hello! Jeff here again. I figured I might as well start blogging a bit about our upcoming Mediterranean cruise on the Disney Magic in May. Wait, what? Didn't you guys already do that? Yes, we did...well at least 75% of us did back in June 2007. Unfortunately, our son Brian didn't get to make the first trip as he was in summer classes at Auburn University. Soooo...since we had such a FABULOUS time back in 2007 AND Brian is graduating in May AND Disney tempted us again with those low Category 12 cruise fares, I ask...how could we NOT go? See, it all makes sense. :-)<br />
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Disney tweaked the itinerary a bit this time, dropping Olbia (Sardinia) - YEA!, Marseille (France) - we actually liked Marseille, but OK, and Palermo (Sicily) - wasn't bad. In their place they've added Ajaccio, Corsica, Tunis, Tunisia and Valletta, Malta. So we'll be adding the second largest continent to our travels - Africa. I haven't made our flight arrangements yet (been watching airfares and hoping for them to drop) but the preference would be to fly out of Huntsville on May 13th and arrive in Barcelona in the morning on May 14th. Our hotel this time is the <a href="http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-5560-novotel-barcelona-city-opening-1st-march-2010/index.shtml" linkindex="19">Novotel, Barcelona City</a>. Looking forward to February 14th, which is when we can begin making reservations for Palo and any Disney tours that we might like. <br />
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Here is the cruise itinerary.<br />
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<table class="atAGlanceTabs"><thead> </thead></table><table cellspacing="10"><tbody>
<tr> <th style="text-align: left;">Day</th> <th style="text-align: left;">Port</th> <th class="center" style="text-align: left;">Guest Ashore</th> <th class="center" style="text-align: left;">Guest Aboard</th></tr>
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<tr> <td>Saturday (5/15)</td> <td>Barcelona, Spain</td> <td class="time center">—</td> <td class="time center">4:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Sunday (5/16)</td> <td>At Sea</td> <td class="time center">—</td> <td class="time center">—</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Monday (5/17)</td> <td>Valletta, Malta</td> <td class="time center">8:30 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">6:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Tuesday (5/18)</td> <td>Tunis, Tunisia</td> <td class="time center">8:30 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">4:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Wed (5/19)</td> <td>Naples, Italy (Pompeii)</td> <td class="time center">8:30 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">9:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Thursday (5/20)</td> <td>Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome)</td> <td class="time center">7:45 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">9:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Friday (5/21)</td> <td>At Sea</td> <td class="time center">—</td> <td class="time center">—</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Saturday (5/22)</td> <td>La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa)</td> <td class="time center">7:30 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">7:30 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Sunday (5/23)</td> <td>Ajaccio, Corsica</td> <td class="time center">7:30 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">5:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Monday (5/24)</td> <td>Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice)</td> <td class="time center">8:00 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">7:00 p.m.</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Tuesday (5/25</td> <td>At Sea</td> <td class="time center">—</td> <td class="time center">—</td></tr>
<tr> <td>Wed (5/26)</td> <td>Barcelona, Spain</td> <td class="time center">7:00 a.m.</td> <td class="time center">—</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-52093414263287647502010-02-02T10:30:00.000-06:002010-02-02T10:30:16.322-06:00Victoria & Albert"s and Heading HomeHello Everyone! Susan here. Last night we got all spruced up for dinner at Victoria & Albert's, Disney's premire restaurant. I got some interesting looks as I emerged from the Comfort Station at the Fort Wilderness Campground in my cocktail dress. Of course, the fancy dress with clogs would get some looks (didn't want to put on the heels until I had to). Jeff looked very dapper in his suit. We headed over to the Grand Floridian Resort and valet parked (that's part of the deal with Vicky & Al's), and the valet directed us to the restaurant. First, let me say that the Grand Floridian is lovely. There was a pianist playing when we walked in and the band was getting ready to play as we walked by. The lobby is just a wonderful place to go and relax and listen to music in the evenings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz32IMtJcx4zXtunNA8r8uJWF2an8xH6nM5Ob24uM760UaitcdvgehRviQhnZRILUM12vYJGCeqI7wvXLuwikY8SG2Rx9xnp2FFVka51C7oVS8TdnCYkMcqzahL34_5uzgO1owlCow0M/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-4+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="346" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz32IMtJcx4zXtunNA8r8uJWF2an8xH6nM5Ob24uM760UaitcdvgehRviQhnZRILUM12vYJGCeqI7wvXLuwikY8SG2Rx9xnp2FFVka51C7oVS8TdnCYkMcqzahL34_5uzgO1owlCow0M/s200/Marathon+2010-4+001.JPG" /></a>When we walked into Victoria & Albert's, it was like we had left the normal cacophony of Disney behind and entered a very genteel home. They took my coat and offered me a cashmere shawl so I wouldn't be chilly. We were taken to our table which was in a room with a fireplace, near the harpist. (we swear that she was union - played about 10 minutes and took a 10-15 minute break) There were two other couples in the room with us. Our server was Bill and his assistant was Ann. Ann welcomed us and poured glasses of champagne (part of the wine pairing with dinner) as we looked at our personalized menus. We had to make six selections for our dinner. We carefully chose different things from each other in order to maximize our experience (so we could taste each others' food). Each selection had a wine pairing with it. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uljA2iYyZVut7Q9abeFerhgjza_HfrUQu5fXvBTntVktemRk4jH1ZYwi__NnL67u21AJ2qXMSojOWrXoEYSmCNwKnxAWS89GZwpPsoPIr4QysKZqBqfOptLjR_XeIiZIyd0eNbWTd4E/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-4+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" linkindex="347" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uljA2iYyZVut7Q9abeFerhgjza_HfrUQu5fXvBTntVktemRk4jH1ZYwi__NnL67u21AJ2qXMSojOWrXoEYSmCNwKnxAWS89GZwpPsoPIr4QysKZqBqfOptLjR_XeIiZIyd0eNbWTd4E/s200/Marathon+2010-4+002.JPG" /></a><br />
After we ordered, Ann was back with an amouse bouche, compliments of the chef. The plate was like a work of art, and they only got better as the evening progressed. Listed below are the remaining six courses we each ordered, along with some additional photos of the wonderful food.<br />
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<b>Susan</b><br />
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Maine Lobster with Watermelon Radish, Kohlrabi and Vanilla Aioli <br />
Diver Scallop with Zellwood Corn and Chorizo Sauce<br />
Duck Breast, Duck Sausage, and Confit with Salsify, Pomegranate Sauce<br />
Colorado Lamb with Fresh Cannellini Bean Cassoulet (Photo 4)<br />
Thomas Hoe Stevenson Stilton, Couronne Lochoise, 36 Month Aged Parmigiano, Thomasville Tomme<br />
Meyer Lemon and Blood Orange Purse with Blackberry-Violet Sherbet (Photo 6)<br />
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<b>Jeff</b><br />
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Colorado Buffalo with Fennel, Olives, Artichokes and Sherry Vinaigrette (Photo 1)<br />
Sake-Soy-marinated King Salmon with Bok Choy and Soy Beans (Photo 2) <br />
Poulet Rouge with Mushroom Truffle Ragout, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and English Peas<br />
Marcho Farms Veal Tenderloin with Marble Potatoes and Sauce Soubise (Photo 3)<br />
White Chocolate Gelato with Tableside Shavings and Micro Orchids<br />
Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle (Photo 5)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18877_259567260896_545180896_3253663_3043746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="354" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18877_259567260896_545180896_3253663_3043746_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After the amazing dinner, we headed back to the camper. It was cold again, so Jeff had both heaters running. Not long after we went to bed, he noticed that the power was out. We had no flashlight, so he used my Blackberry for light as he checked the breakers. Nothing would work, so he decided to go to Wal Mart for another extension cord and a different adapter for the heavy duty extension cord that we had in the camper. He also got a couple of flashlights. I stayed bundled up under the quilts and the extra sleeping bag that he pulled out before he left. After he returned, he got the heater going again with the extension cord, so we didn't freeze! Not the best ending to a wonderful evening but it could have been worse!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-81236144272610043042010-01-11T16:05:00.000-06:002010-01-11T16:05:02.747-06:00Recovery Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVslX7UyVrWHfUx0rseO62fsCsFw-d8oiR4-Gl7Zsn7vsl7fQIU7b374pWS9nPSAw4p83xnKXFvHZF6pdjcCwhzftGk3A83yQqdejvzgVduTeiaDy4jOFv0i2yhfztd5OZv8SUMqmwoRM/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVslX7UyVrWHfUx0rseO62fsCsFw-d8oiR4-Gl7Zsn7vsl7fQIU7b374pWS9nPSAw4p83xnKXFvHZF6pdjcCwhzftGk3A83yQqdejvzgVduTeiaDy4jOFv0i2yhfztd5OZv8SUMqmwoRM/s200/Marathon+2010-3+056.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Susan here. After a good night's rest and a great breakfast at Fort Wilderness' Trails End buffet, we were feeling much better. Jeff is feeling a lot better today and got his appetite back. Both of us are a little sore, but not too bad. In fact, we could even run some today if we wanted to. Guess that's where the training pays off.<br />
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</div>Jeff here. After breakfast, we walked around what used to be the petting farm at Fort Wilderness but all that remains are some ponies for rides and stables for the various horses large and small used around the Disney property. The large horses are Belgians and Percherons. Many of them weigh upwards of 2000 lbs and so obviously they're huge. Also we noticed that it was so cold out that the ponies had on coats!<br />
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Susan here. Next up was a search for some ibuprofen, as I didn't have any in my purse. One of the items to remember next time! After the visit to Walgreens, we decided to go to Downtown Disney. There is a large movie theatre there, so we decided to take in a movie. We chose "The Blind Side." We really enjoyed it and would highly recommend seeing it if you haven't already.<br />
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</div><span id="goog_1263246037149"></span><span id="goog_1263246037150"></span>After the movie we wandered around the World of Disney Store to see if there was something that we couldn't live without, and there wasn't. As we exited, what was in our gaze, but the Ghiradelli shop. Of course, we had to go in. There are always free samples, and free samples of chocolate are always good. We decdided to have hot chocolates and one of their colossal cookies - chocolate chip and toffee. We went outside and found a table in the sun, since it was warmer today.<br />
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</div>We wandered around some more, going through the Lego Store, where they have some nice displays made of lego blocks. Yes, those dogs and family are made of legos.<br />
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We're getting ready now for our celebration dinner at Victoria & Alberts, Disney's premiere restaurant. More tomorrow on our dinner.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-7902168813875231292010-01-11T08:40:00.000-06:002010-01-11T08:40:08.246-06:00Marathon Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp-vLEypVzoRBb0PUnplNHrV9AU76IaJOH-kx-XTHNfwTa5tMik7LfD9UaSC-OGEsqi8NGvXH3TQVKWKR-JSFLXpLRqVUoBNK5z4ergNbndGGDutNb1VunHc6nNI7x3nMj-_9T-e_3HY/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp-vLEypVzoRBb0PUnplNHrV9AU76IaJOH-kx-XTHNfwTa5tMik7LfD9UaSC-OGEsqi8NGvXH3TQVKWKR-JSFLXpLRqVUoBNK5z4ergNbndGGDutNb1VunHc6nNI7x3nMj-_9T-e_3HY/s320/Marathon+2010-3+001.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Susan here. We were up at 2:30 race morning to get over to the Epcot before 3:30. Seems awfully early, but when you are dealing with about 24,000 registered runners, there will be traffic. We got to Race Retreat package again this year. The promise of a "climate controlled" tent was very appealing. They just didn't say what the climate would be...COLD! I swear the "heaters" were blowing cold air. Everyone was bundled up head and ears inside. I felt for the folks that had to wait outside. The folks that drove could wait in their cars, so that was better. Still...Brrrr!! We did have some bagels and peanut butter when we got there, and there were "private" porta-potties there, too. We also took the opportunity for some photos with Disney characters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QNY7NRF7GSF_JOG6CuL7ECTxXD0dVsYo5t7kKDI9siqpY_iHBY2obCzlGIXsR2du1-oN-P4RMJsMFBwgu-OiQPdX8t_EmcsoO5g6Q7QZFV6kCbXeoOxeYRa236oJlkfNEFbrZ9V7koA/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QNY7NRF7GSF_JOG6CuL7ECTxXD0dVsYo5t7kKDI9siqpY_iHBY2obCzlGIXsR2du1-oN-P4RMJsMFBwgu-OiQPdX8t_EmcsoO5g6Q7QZFV6kCbXeoOxeYRa236oJlkfNEFbrZ9V7koA/s200/Marathon+2010-3+008.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmFQGpARe71IsecQfQE5NkTzTiygpfWo6ysq23a_mbA4i34rShI7O9_JRhAs5kPtw1Gr9FUCPXmXcFbEMdP2oFLJ7SGPhuS7Jju6GXM8ht_Xhv1hCkOBWb5EHN8gorLjEXIa11bOAnf4/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmFQGpARe71IsecQfQE5NkTzTiygpfWo6ysq23a_mbA4i34rShI7O9_JRhAs5kPtw1Gr9FUCPXmXcFbEMdP2oFLJ7SGPhuS7Jju6GXM8ht_Xhv1hCkOBWb5EHN8gorLjEXIa11bOAnf4/s200/Marathon+2010-3+010.JPG" /></a>Everyone in Race Retreat waited until the last possible minute to head to the starting corrals. We made it to Corral D just in time. We had bought some zip up hooded sweatshirts at Sam's, so we had those on at the start. One of the really nice things that Disney does is to collect all of the clothing discarded not only at the start, but over the entire course, launder it and donate it to charity. We both had on two pairs of pants, two pairs of gloves (with hot-hands inside), and multiple shirts.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYkIdMOdzQegLb54lTpMNxVOgWvs0M2FJmhu7Xse8vCyUz5C3LB_FT737cA9MjXc-P3FenUL7CwdHfK3fPk1af5a8xN_gS5mp5j3CHXsWtxeXKjs4pJCZivP0ZnSwIQQ97wMXqXGaQ4/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYkIdMOdzQegLb54lTpMNxVOgWvs0M2FJmhu7Xse8vCyUz5C3LB_FT737cA9MjXc-P3FenUL7CwdHfK3fPk1af5a8xN_gS5mp5j3CHXsWtxeXKjs4pJCZivP0ZnSwIQQ97wMXqXGaQ4/s200/Marathon+2010-3+011.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Mickey and his pals counted down, fireworks shot into the air and we were off. The first five or so miles were in and around Epcot. It was thrilling to hear John Williams' Olympic Themes playing as we entered the World Showcase, which was lit by the torches used for Illuminations. Then on to Magic Kingdom. Along the way, we were serenaded by a couple of local high school and middle school bands, along with their cheerleaders.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ5wBqzWgLn9tkmGRMhIp-JvaqEyYbgzwgq-WSlcfdHsS7EaxYxpYqyTd8Ms2jLOAVCyhGtqZZCmzhzXPbOGecW1XEI2vHx9HOqoND5Cbh6MRlPAVn8SUqd_1a8iIukMIe0-KaB1xk50/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ5wBqzWgLn9tkmGRMhIp-JvaqEyYbgzwgq-WSlcfdHsS7EaxYxpYqyTd8Ms2jLOAVCyhGtqZZCmzhzXPbOGecW1XEI2vHx9HOqoND5Cbh6MRlPAVn8SUqd_1a8iIukMIe0-KaB1xk50/s320/Marathon+2010-3+018.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>It was so cool to run down Main Street USA with all the spectators cheering us on. We stopped for a couple of pictures there. On through Tomorrowland and then, with the herald trumpets announcing our arrival, we ran through Cinderella's Castle. We completed Magic Kingdom with Frontierland, then the long, backstage stretch to Animal Kingdom, where there was little to look at other than the backs of fellow runners.<br />
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Jeff here. I don't know if it was the cold overall, the fact that we made so many stops in the Magic Kingdom for photos and I got cold there, that I had almost no sleep the night before the race, that I didn't eat enough, or a combination of everything, but I got REALLY cold coming out of the Magic Kingdom and my whole body started hurting. During the run to the Animal Kingdom I grabbed a Tylenol at one of the aid stations to try to dull the pain. I also ate a raw banana, and I don't even like bananas, to try to get my strength back up. I also picked up a CLIF gel shot to try to get some energy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyizA2QAsPOKGvL5LnDc1zESMIPRnd3zkj1j6518Tfem18vSPSC_IJbw7Adn5zNYvGqFYP5VCrWRxRHd94ts8RRtAXFeUpLh_jORyf4VpNRKbzQ9i4MKdf-riRQi8lAPvgPuSKA0A988/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-3+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyizA2QAsPOKGvL5LnDc1zESMIPRnd3zkj1j6518Tfem18vSPSC_IJbw7Adn5zNYvGqFYP5VCrWRxRHd94ts8RRtAXFeUpLh_jORyf4VpNRKbzQ9i4MKdf-riRQi8lAPvgPuSKA0A988/s200/Marathon+2010-3+022.JPG" /></a> After a half hour or so I started feeling better and was able to run into and through the Animal Kingdom feeling pretty well. I shot this nice picture of Expedition Everest (roller coaster) there. Things continued to go pretty well for me through about mile 21. We were running slower than our normal pace but at least I didn't feel like I was in any distress. Things started going south again for me as we turned north into the cold wind and did a couple of runs up hill over an overpass and up an exit ramp on our way to Hollywood Studios. There were volunteers handing out snack sized candy bars in the park and that again seemed to give me a little energy boost and I was able to make it to the 24 mile marker near the Boardwalk resort. Just over 2 miles to go but it seemed like 10 for me at that point. I'm not sure what happened but I felt like I had run completely out of energy. <br />
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</div>Susan, bless her heart, seemed like she could run another 10 miles. She kept looking back, checking to make sure I was still running, and encouraging me on. Rather than running a mile or two in between stops I was now lucky to run a quarter mile. I began looking ahead to something (archway, curve, hill, building) and telling myself to run to that point. Finally, we made it to the back entrance of Epcot - the International Gateway) and we walked again backstage. I SO wanted to be able to run around World Showcase and finish out the race but I just couldn't do it! I'd run until I felt like I was about to collapse and then I'd stop and walk. When I could breathe again, I'd run some more. FINALLY, FINALLY we were at the front of Epcot and running past the 26 mile marker. I decided then that I wasn't stopping until I crossed the finish line - NO MATTER WHAT. If I collapsed, so be it. Perhaps it's that same mentality that causes marathon runners to have heart attacks at the finish? No matter - we did it! Our time was 4:57:10 - about 15 minutes slower than I thought we'd do but neither of us every expected the conditions that we ran in.<br />
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Susan here again. We went back to Race Retreat (it was still cold even with a lot more bodies in there) for brunch. First we checked our time at the computers, then got food. Jeff thought that the eggs were the only thing that tasted good to him. I got some eggs and potatoes, as well as some of the soup, which wasn't that good, but it was warm. I ate my soup standing up, while stretching my legs at the table.<br />
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After that , we went out to the truck and headed back to Fort Wilderness. I took a looonnnng hot shower and Jeff took a looonnnng nap. (I took a nap, too) After we were all cleaned up and rested (and I washed all the dirty running gear), we went to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner at Boma, an African buffet. Jeff was still feeling bad, so he didn't enjoy dinner as much as he normally would. After a good, long sleep, we are both feeling pretty good this morning.<br />
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A side note: We have seen a lot of wildlife on this visit. We have regularly seen 4-5 deer grazing. I saw 7 turkeys at a nearby campsite, and I've seen a *live* armadillo. I also saw something unusual last night - a cat walking on a leash! Our neighbors are full-time RV'ers and this is the only way that Scout, the cat, gets outside. He likes it, too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-45139244553139404062010-01-09T18:53:00.000-06:002010-01-09T18:53:46.296-06:00Cold, Wet Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjO0lGKWDxWmwb5gHQdtxAHYGS8jYJaOG7KDqnfNPOG-puGJugaUz8PWinrRcSVMJ9yuH924sm9mbvLx1lNdWt6bKUqkIsdnJes2iujCIizPcXixjEYzPgNRPuKBsp-xpRmrfH2fhuWE/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjO0lGKWDxWmwb5gHQdtxAHYGS8jYJaOG7KDqnfNPOG-puGJugaUz8PWinrRcSVMJ9yuH924sm9mbvLx1lNdWt6bKUqkIsdnJes2iujCIizPcXixjEYzPgNRPuKBsp-xpRmrfH2fhuWE/s200/Marathon+2010-2+041.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Oh my, Susan and I felt so bad for the half-marathoners this morning when we awoke at 5:30 am and heard the rain drops pecking at the roof of our camper. Knowing that thousands of people were milling around in that frigid rain trying to stay warm before the start of the race made us cringe! Today, after bundling up in multiple shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, pants, coats and gloves (did I say it was COLD?) and grabbed our umbrellas, we ventured out to Hollywood Studios. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9kFSohr1lPhEWgbIjLudsLq6UAzZQi1bPJNL9bkKLgaMffYRW1fWqC6u3vHFkCjveM1fmvYnB_TQuaJFdPT7eAmDbJxMrICxPKJ8YW-HVNzhCeV2_HCtWXAPPLcspjfTyyJXZ5Jxp18/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9kFSohr1lPhEWgbIjLudsLq6UAzZQi1bPJNL9bkKLgaMffYRW1fWqC6u3vHFkCjveM1fmvYnB_TQuaJFdPT7eAmDbJxMrICxPKJ8YW-HVNzhCeV2_HCtWXAPPLcspjfTyyJXZ5Jxp18/s200/Marathon+2010-2+043.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>The only good thing about the cold, wet weather is that Floridians don't like to go out in cold weather so there were only die-hard tourists like us at the park. We were able to ride Toy Story Mania, Rock-N-Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror multiple times with little or no wait and these attractions typically have lines that are an hour or more.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-7ka3vXIPikE9Leur0tt8aVoOFLn8A-1RB_FZOcIq05TgQcFOPpP2GZT5fcOPzC7RwEJ8UUbpI9yYiXhV0KEl_mttXQM2ybPjKnEleKo6jrQLy4QGTrxkIYjjWPkrEZn4h3eRGZPpFI/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-7ka3vXIPikE9Leur0tt8aVoOFLn8A-1RB_FZOcIq05TgQcFOPpP2GZT5fcOPzC7RwEJ8UUbpI9yYiXhV0KEl_mttXQM2ybPjKnEleKo6jrQLy4QGTrxkIYjjWPkrEZn4h3eRGZPpFI/s200/Marathon+2010-2+047.JPG" /></a>After riding everything we wanted several times, Susan had the idea to go over to the Beach Club to a cozy little restaurant called Beaches and Cream. They have an excellent chicken noodle soup that was calling to our chilled to the bone bodies. Afterwards, we played a few games in the nearby game room. We then walked over to Epcot where we listened to the Voices of Liberty singing group and watched (snoozed during) the American Adventure show. We finished up the evening back at Hollywood Studios with a hearty dinner at 50's Prime Time of pot roast (me) and meat loaf (Susan). <br />
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We're now getting our stuff ready for our frigid marathon tomorrow and our early alarm at 2:15 am. Yikes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-64005137101239852582010-01-09T18:27:00.000-06:002010-01-09T18:27:46.499-06:00Dreary Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6nabmE4nAFmstHOfyyuvjVv9devV7vwBouw01vzKsuK-w_BhZLcb_JfJnDqyt4BxLRO6iV2bPWC0Ozp-1iAelfJ_8bGhJMuObaG9ovUvv9ARydVrtMHgMa3mBn5MrHU7IEbWPO3PN4/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6nabmE4nAFmstHOfyyuvjVv9devV7vwBouw01vzKsuK-w_BhZLcb_JfJnDqyt4BxLRO6iV2bPWC0Ozp-1iAelfJ_8bGhJMuObaG9ovUvv9ARydVrtMHgMa3mBn5MrHU7IEbWPO3PN4/s320/Marathon+2010-2+003.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Hi all. Sorry I didn't post about yesterday's activities but Susan and I were pretty busy. As nice as Thursday was, we knew it wouldn't last - Friday was a coolish, dreary day. We decided to visit Animal Kingdom as we didn't make it to that park during our previous visit in October for the International Food & Wine Festival. We did all of our favorite things, including the Expedition Everest roller coaster, Nemo show, Lion King show and the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. You can see I'm wearing my new FREE sunglasses with free strap though a little while after this picture was taken, it got completely overcast and then started sprinkling. It continued to mist and sprinkle the rest of the day, hence dreary Friday.<br />
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Speaking of the safari ride, Susan was the photographer and she managed to capture the rear end of most of the animals on the savannah. We got a good laugh out of it. :-)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vIemNmrDGIg9PMuUE5Esj3wfJwR8X9EZltCkS-PqSEtZu2WIBHvZMFvRhjcKKs1rzm8UcPsZVggPC7uTYYutrWIffQCvb2bW-U-KA35MNQgcTJ56F7PB_BfCpdNMqGneFjAoqAH-uGc/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vIemNmrDGIg9PMuUE5Esj3wfJwR8X9EZltCkS-PqSEtZu2WIBHvZMFvRhjcKKs1rzm8UcPsZVggPC7uTYYutrWIffQCvb2bW-U-KA35MNQgcTJ56F7PB_BfCpdNMqGneFjAoqAH-uGc/s200/Marathon+2010-2+026.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBjIyAFkzxqBhDS1Q1iT_s3T6EpgrVY9WdUDmnEqmQlRVrAUIbPrentHzT27i36E13U0foZSuXW-xrb2Txt10FfbAIvwBem79960Bym7ekac80kYnVclk6bth1nsHQXDZD0KrcW1Ime4/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-2+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBjIyAFkzxqBhDS1Q1iT_s3T6EpgrVY9WdUDmnEqmQlRVrAUIbPrentHzT27i36E13U0foZSuXW-xrb2Txt10FfbAIvwBem79960Bym7ekac80kYnVclk6bth1nsHQXDZD0KrcW1Ime4/s200/Marathon+2010-2+029.JPG" /></a><br />
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<a name='more'></a>We finished up the evening with a wonderful meal at the Bistro de Paris in Epcot, which is one of our favorite restaurants on Disney property. Susan had the venison and I had the beef tenderloin. Both entrees were excellent and the entire dining experience was wonderful.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-28318300696696620732010-01-08T15:53:00.001-06:002010-01-09T18:05:09.691-06:00Pasta in the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF187ni0s5Weyw8ITGE-jvgpxeWaDonIbeHKKYUUsyp2FRycjy1cT0ZSqNO0kDmYtSDS_qGg7K7e1zckyazzg6LyPPo9G9DO-GVJoGnmFmp1tnKIHlvC2cazUakLTAiCBqajXS-UWnGM/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-1+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF187ni0s5Weyw8ITGE-jvgpxeWaDonIbeHKKYUUsyp2FRycjy1cT0ZSqNO0kDmYtSDS_qGg7K7e1zckyazzg6LyPPo9G9DO-GVJoGnmFmp1tnKIHlvC2cazUakLTAiCBqajXS-UWnGM/s320/Marathon+2010-1+005.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Hello again! Picking up where we left off yesterday, after setting up camp and having lunch, Susan and I went to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to pick up our race packets and browse through the merchandise at the Health and Fitness Expo. Packet pickup was straight-forward and crowds were pretty well managed. We did have to make an extra trip back out to the parking lot because I'd forgotten our "proof of time" from the Huntsville Half marathon Susan and I had run back in November. We're in the "D" corral, right behind the "elite" runners so we shouldn't have to deal with passing all the walkers like we did in the half-marathon last year.<br />
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</div>We both bought us some new running gloves that were a bit thicker and better at moisture wicking than the ones we already had. I also got a free pair of running sunglasses. We happened upon the booth where Susan had purchased running glasses at the Expo last year and mentioned to the person there that one of the ear pieces had fallen off so she couldn't use them. The lady told her that her glasses were warranted for life so she or I could pick any glasses we liked except for the very best and could have them for free. Can't beat free! She also gave us both free straps and free storage pouches for our glasses.<br />
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We also taste tested various samples of gel, gelatin squares and power bars and grabbed some samples to take with us to eat early in the race.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c0K16pCxy4_VzXbakpSOsP-Vs74eG16IXp_MiB3fduCr5AzcQsN7Y9xvcYAoNRwafPZU6i1Kg9TFhQy-9vH45V6NSq0IIQhf-FHw9YknJAzJzDMQnCD1jvy08OjajouaQaa-kT8mORw/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-1+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c0K16pCxy4_VzXbakpSOsP-Vs74eG16IXp_MiB3fduCr5AzcQsN7Y9xvcYAoNRwafPZU6i1Kg9TFhQy-9vH45V6NSq0IIQhf-FHw9YknJAzJzDMQnCD1jvy08OjajouaQaa-kT8mORw/s200/Marathon+2010-1+009.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VJjoM8Ni2mGl6EQck3dqMKbsnCaOHDHc0G0bM7du7ev6U6F82Y1KvBNmrbDBohx7bJ_FWp240ZlDuO18E9q3AyaMCcfPb9n411qRzOFJ32gA2y4rwSB-3ygaHHmWYsC-c6FGJcZD8g0/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-1+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VJjoM8Ni2mGl6EQck3dqMKbsnCaOHDHc0G0bM7du7ev6U6F82Y1KvBNmrbDBohx7bJ_FWp240ZlDuO18E9q3AyaMCcfPb9n411qRzOFJ32gA2y4rwSB-3ygaHHmWYsC-c6FGJcZD8g0/s200/Marathon+2010-1+010.JPG" /></a>After a few hours, we headed over to Epcot where we attended the "Pasta in the Park" event. We got there a bit early so we decided to walk through Innoventions to kill some time and to warm up (getting chilly after sunset). As it turned out, they were doing Segway introductions so Susan and I signed up. We'd done one of the Disney Segway tours 3-4 years ago and really enjoyed it and were looking forward to trying out the newer generation models. They did seem easier to maneuver than the older units. <br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpskCK6Zp9C9s4yIVo5wbj3ycwiF-I4F3ohp395PDQXnLl5C2IujhUTvyTYZR4iaDRcOs4GmgwHaJxvosk8LhupKFm4rWC1LSAXZw8k8lOQsrnHzrmgRZDoGq2ropdCucSiafF-9_kTI/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-1+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpskCK6Zp9C9s4yIVo5wbj3ycwiF-I4F3ohp395PDQXnLl5C2IujhUTvyTYZR4iaDRcOs4GmgwHaJxvosk8LhupKFm4rWC1LSAXZw8k8lOQsrnHzrmgRZDoGq2ropdCucSiafF-9_kTI/s200/Marathon+2010-1+020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6VjTXB3PkspcCzNTrd4WNGhQVosPbpdycqKIdBJC33h9g0OpM1ox7obGbCwd7EYF_9GgJ80nrO6QtQDL4RaaWPTLCsuCg6nWITAERAu8Om1EnGYB5q_Q89aOrrB5P084R0buMQ-4AU8/s1600-h/Marathon+2010-1+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6VjTXB3PkspcCzNTrd4WNGhQVosPbpdycqKIdBJC33h9g0OpM1ox7obGbCwd7EYF_9GgJ80nrO6QtQDL4RaaWPTLCsuCg6nWITAERAu8Om1EnGYB5q_Q89aOrrB5P084R0buMQ-4AU8/s200/Marathon+2010-1+022.JPG" /></a>The Pasta Party turned out to be a nice activity. Things started out with a nice buffet featuring various green, potato and pasta salads, pasta, broiled chicken and brownies. Also included were bananas, water, fruit punch and lemonade. There was a cash bar with beer and wine. There were also character photo opportunities, which we took advantage of. We met two couples from Canada that had come down to run. One couple was doing the Goofy Challenge (both half marathon and full marathon) and the other was doing the half marathon. The third couple at our table was from Birmingham, AL and they were proudly wearing their Alabama Crimson Tide gear. It was nice visiting with them all.<br />
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</div>After a nice couple of hours Susan and I decided to head back to the campground to watch the BCS National Championship game. We found a TV in Crockett's Tavern and were able to watch through the first half, by which time the Tide had established a commanding lead. Go SEC!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-79717756817054290852010-01-07T13:13:00.000-06:002010-01-07T13:13:13.240-06:00We've Arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAzwlD1zAcEnAEGkmGl_LmQ7ICCu3Ptbyn8bcVgwx1oSp6YzV1jAK-muFXKSyxRE1Rk6R5qpPIEjnww0GKp26yyIvhWwNmdX5XlEv6bx_bUPQ6P3GiBCn4ExuRC8Q2AvLms5G3DeOHTM/s1600-h/Marathon+2010+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAzwlD1zAcEnAEGkmGl_LmQ7ICCu3Ptbyn8bcVgwx1oSp6YzV1jAK-muFXKSyxRE1Rk6R5qpPIEjnww0GKp26yyIvhWwNmdX5XlEv6bx_bUPQ6P3GiBCn4ExuRC8Q2AvLms5G3DeOHTM/s320/Marathon+2010+001.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUepb4GiDdLEuJc2DODLGCc5kyq3k9mHecjNsdet7C9oxjI-LrJRi5jYHq_S1RXqIQuM5_FjjeQ3l_KXAj0PSQNRVBtL1Xi0lOHmprGPyIxU52TSvtXgAqnsZNIGGd0c3El1ktcaMqsBo/s1600-h/Marathon+2010+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUepb4GiDdLEuJc2DODLGCc5kyq3k9mHecjNsdet7C9oxjI-LrJRi5jYHq_S1RXqIQuM5_FjjeQ3l_KXAj0PSQNRVBtL1Xi0lOHmprGPyIxU52TSvtXgAqnsZNIGGd0c3El1ktcaMqsBo/s320/Marathon+2010+005.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>We arrived at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground just after noon and it is fabulous here. Temps I think are around 60 but with the bright sun shine I'm comfortable in my t-shirt. Susan and I set up camp on campsite 1734 and we're enjoying it as we're right across from the Comfort Station (showers / restrooms). Susan fixed us some soup (chicken and herb dumplings) for lunch and we're heading out to the Health and Fitness Expo to pick up our race packets and free-bee stuff. Here are a few photos of our campsite.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb99R87R_CCJWhnCGcnKxtrjKlG0O31DYWC1EcvLhpTFbnsPjZ9LBfCLU3egcBwVQpOLqrz__kq-x_C-9QjCQcG-bjbWy0KggMi7IWNunTOjgOI9m-DbfbgvOoVz53BYJrsixY2ujRo8/s1600-h/Marathon+2010+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb99R87R_CCJWhnCGcnKxtrjKlG0O31DYWC1EcvLhpTFbnsPjZ9LBfCLU3egcBwVQpOLqrz__kq-x_C-9QjCQcG-bjbWy0KggMi7IWNunTOjgOI9m-DbfbgvOoVz53BYJrsixY2ujRo8/s320/Marathon+2010+002.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf9wCeHbsB_puttuMuqu-KMA8r9PYgBVBec1_d8jRyqa8D1d7zuXa-pe53BFLsYe5dr-9lOmxg2ImK3wD1b6Jd0SOGksp1C1oVjhAONBKypNIdGZRvuwHZGK18dmwZZ2QedXOnkqxfXE/s1600-h/Marathon+2010+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf9wCeHbsB_puttuMuqu-KMA8r9PYgBVBec1_d8jRyqa8D1d7zuXa-pe53BFLsYe5dr-9lOmxg2ImK3wD1b6Jd0SOGksp1C1oVjhAONBKypNIdGZRvuwHZGK18dmwZZ2QedXOnkqxfXE/s320/Marathon+2010+003.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-37552535799615678212010-01-04T09:37:00.004-06:002010-01-04T09:46:33.440-06:002010 Disney World Marathon Itinerary<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4DYxzkBV8OdE_vMowe3hRr-U-o5wSN99SRVb_lcZxyfWjZDPLdqjfGAN2M3Gd0gmldonEPU_129F9jj9Laoxd_2lZrP_6PfGE8y5P1N_Pni3JoBgC-Rc29I5CxpkcDEOnAMDDgdFLX4/s1600-h/MarathonLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4DYxzkBV8OdE_vMowe3hRr-U-o5wSN99SRVb_lcZxyfWjZDPLdqjfGAN2M3Gd0gmldonEPU_129F9jj9Laoxd_2lZrP_6PfGE8y5P1N_Pni3JoBgC-Rc29I5CxpkcDEOnAMDDgdFLX4/s400/MarathonLogo.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Hello all! Our upcoming trip to Disney World is for the 2010 Disney marathon. Susan and I have been training for 8 months for this race and we're really psyched to be running it. We will be blogging during the trip so be on the lookout! Below is our daily itinerary:<br />
<br />
<strong>Thursday, January 7th</strong><br />
Check-in @ Fort Wilderness Resort<br />
Go to Wide World of Sports for Health & Fitness Expo and pick up race packets<br />
Attend "Pasta in the Park" pre-race dining event at Epcot<br />
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<strong>Friday, January 8th</strong><br />
Theme park day<br />
Dinner at Bistro de Paris in Epcot @ 7pm<br />
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<strong>Saturday, January 9th</strong><br />
Theme park day<br />
Dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios @ 5:35 pm<br />
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<strong>Sunday, January 10th</strong><br />
Disney's Marathon Race Retreat @ 3-5:30 am<br />
Marathon start @ 5:50 am<br />
Disney's Marathon Race Retreat open to 2:30 pm<br />
Dinner at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge @ 5:30 pm<br />
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<strong>Monday, January 11th</strong><br />
Theme park day<br />
Celebration dinner at Victoria & Albert's @ 5:30 pm<br />
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<strong>Tuesday, January 12th</strong><br />
Depart Fort Wilderness Resort for homeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-74948217974965314452009-10-19T10:18:00.015-05:002009-10-23T14:02:31.498-05:002008 Food & Wine PhotosYeah, these are a year late but oh well. Picture #1 is Susan with our Happy Limo driver. Picture #2 is inside Epcot, showing the theme of the 2008 festival, which we thought was kind of a lame name "Cities in Wonderland". Picture #3 is Susan on a bench near the China pavilion. Picture #4 are chefs from Puglia, Italy doing a demo on how to make fresh pasta. Picture #5 is Susan near the France pavilion. Picture #6 is Susan sitting in front of the entrance garden to Epcot. Picture #7 is me pigging out on a sausage from the Germany pavilion. Picture #8 is Susan with Crescent Lake, the Yacht Club and Dolphin resorts behind her. Picture #9 is me overcoming my dread of hammocks (goes back to a fall from one in Cozumel, Mexico).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdmZaGV5P4mPgqDQGMitXBXH9y7jmC96-SnNeEiZrNJNAIaac9LzYAXRduD1zpxjKttb9b1UTucPnfyHvz4HKdpXRY3O3o9OSXM1-wYrOLDXMqU3cK6OJ847vxCR3B-3TBYbUVDy9o90/s1600-h/P1020894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394335007288416610" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdmZaGV5P4mPgqDQGMitXBXH9y7jmC96-SnNeEiZrNJNAIaac9LzYAXRduD1zpxjKttb9b1UTucPnfyHvz4HKdpXRY3O3o9OSXM1-wYrOLDXMqU3cK6OJ847vxCR3B-3TBYbUVDy9o90/s320/P1020894.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_MWFcmpI1a1HbrIa2ujFe1i9VAfcK9LPP6hAPl6i8Yg0WCtEc4pBBQWycWVg1GNljUTBKabuXcLNZCUdp5-0AHHp9KSpY-3d9xl-3wLAezZvYrBS1ClFCEtgSp0JkNcOi7_6pQ0V5Oo/s1600-h/P1020902.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394334896417631010" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_MWFcmpI1a1HbrIa2ujFe1i9VAfcK9LPP6hAPl6i8Yg0WCtEc4pBBQWycWVg1GNljUTBKabuXcLNZCUdp5-0AHHp9KSpY-3d9xl-3wLAezZvYrBS1ClFCEtgSp0JkNcOi7_6pQ0V5Oo/s320/P1020902.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyIVdyzR2o6iA_-99xguVJYQ8OIb-lk0EQow3wGfQXRJ_Q00MxRLtqCuz0U_d8_9gSzRrTtaaUVQML-kALR4IX3I9CM2UFqdsTht0uBBQ9lhbmJjGqbARgpP4Ah2yPS4tLz6g2Ll7caY/s1600-h/P1020947.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394334785530521714" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyIVdyzR2o6iA_-99xguVJYQ8OIb-lk0EQow3wGfQXRJ_Q00MxRLtqCuz0U_d8_9gSzRrTtaaUVQML-kALR4IX3I9CM2UFqdsTht0uBBQ9lhbmJjGqbARgpP4Ah2yPS4tLz6g2Ll7caY/s320/P1020947.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcTOCCsYgNUZHBnzfm7bZXzXnI-IRZk9w-EGsE_ATOk4bIA_RZMx5IeJdYTl6g7PE-PlBd_V-8QpAh6bmz4dt_xJKOJKSx5Y7My7S_IKMP0wZeR_C_IdPOI1781tmqTV4TDdxs2-J3PI/s1600-h/P1020950.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394334663479902258" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; 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float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9pmEFlB9uAwFXcbnmfFN0b44X01AOdmhzu4okgIZDI_mkg7uQYPsA1a1_EnQCIktq9oWmXqQxqOrxHALavmbjiBML22yFRmvgDe6QidrHPsBL8c8Lrhk8BTmMTkvynG-4Pi8av-koUA/s320/P1020986.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpWw86NdsVtcl8Tn8dqVGQTU30nLh9HotiS957DcmJOn7C7NFKuxsb6yU8t76n3WJ5Z5KqB8tBWcUYvl4qoL0dQSnH74pioATjsXfLvmJqNDN7wPbuLNqyoCf_7w19ehd6cTtB1HYhIU/s1600-h/P1020997.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394334158431182370" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpWw86NdsVtcl8Tn8dqVGQTU30nLh9HotiS957DcmJOn7C7NFKuxsb6yU8t76n3WJ5Z5KqB8tBWcUYvl4qoL0dQSnH74pioATjsXfLvmJqNDN7wPbuLNqyoCf_7w19ehd6cTtB1HYhIU/s320/P1020997.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHbETJZKHjUi4SmsVPNfLIvhozXkG272h3rOZ4Q_TDPpiPcyha5cRZq8HY4gJCVhHJllZsSFPS_P49pBSVyRpz6w5jBylbOs0kqORixmNgCOsibw-eHFXE7s0S0MQhxa7B-HQrLDvMks/s1600-h/P1030032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394333992088008866" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHbETJZKHjUi4SmsVPNfLIvhozXkG272h3rOZ4Q_TDPpiPcyha5cRZq8HY4gJCVhHJllZsSFPS_P49pBSVyRpz6w5jBylbOs0kqORixmNgCOsibw-eHFXE7s0S0MQhxa7B-HQrLDvMks/s320/P1030032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeANE5lj3OVhojDZQ3R6necUpWut7AiWqPnLITqZJ_k49She8MnUm2LibM9fQLiMRNmjVEnMQqK9Gi40Otwt-DVYPXzgMKoCYJn93RZkHCNHUlc3J6t_FVJjr-L5eqpJuY66FK_8okgug/s1600-h/P1030033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394333906667265970" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeANE5lj3OVhojDZQ3R6necUpWut7AiWqPnLITqZJ_k49She8MnUm2LibM9fQLiMRNmjVEnMQqK9Gi40Otwt-DVYPXzgMKoCYJn93RZkHCNHUlc3J6t_FVJjr-L5eqpJuY66FK_8okgug/s320/P1030033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHAqxhaYZuRqgq6zlB89pk_T-K548lDfQ10Np0ru-yxGU24LSxNGC-MHQvo957cEwMogK8NSUnAIoztHgYcvfbgpYjhQs50RDrI0xUIavJCp2MSVYX7K4rEbnGmxiEl5Bz6xKNORti8c/s1600-h/P1020902.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvm1EVn9r4zrSlomp-TFj67HzvpBb47QIqI5fBFPt5KnkqsYFjA4gWXynhUK7qpWHE7_FfAijh5v41MXBSX6CJmZkwEv5CNtiGKMiQW3D-KQUyPJV4i7aNHxJfRjnxnSEL1J_Y6PLRQ8/s1600-h/P1020894.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-45532489088457541102008-10-21T16:29:00.002-05:002008-10-21T16:45:58.719-05:002008 Food & Wine Festival PrepsThis will be the 6th year in a row Susan and I have trekked to Epcot to attend the International Food & Wine Festival and I don't think we'll ever get tired of it. This year, we're excited to be staying at the Dolphin hotel, which is a short walk from the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. We've also decided to extend our stay from our normal "long weekend" to 4 full days plus whatever time we tour on Sunday. Below is our itinerary. We have the two main events on Friday and Saturday and will be spending most of the rest of the time touring Epcot's World Showcase, sampling the various food and wines. We also will try to catch any new/renovated attractions we've not yet seen at the World.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tuesday, October 21st</span><br /><br />Flight from Huntsville, AL to Orlando International via Atlanta<br />Happy Limo to the Dolphin<br />Sleep<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, October 22nd</span><br /><br />Epcot, Food & Wine Festival<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday October 23rd</span><br /><br />Epcot, Food & Wine Festival<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday October 24th<br /><br /></span>Epcot, Food & Wine Festival - Culinary<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>demonstrations, seminars and wine tastings<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taste of Spain</span> -- A unique, casual dining experience to discover, taste, and enjoy regional food & beverages from Spain. Chefs, wineries, and breweries from Spain prepare local tastes for guests to enjoy in a walk-about event. Features live entertainment from Spain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday, October 25th</span><br /><br /> Epcot, Food & Wine Festival - Culinary<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>demonstrations, seminars and wine tastings<br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><b>Party for the Senses, Eat, Drink and Celebrate</b> -- Feast on this tribute to the sensory arts! Begin your evening with a reserved seat at the Eat to the Beat concert series at the America Gardens Theatre. Following the show, World ShowPlace becomes the setting for an amazing evening showcasing the talents of more than 25 eminent chefs and over 25 wineries and breweries. Wander amongst various tasting stations in the midst of imaginative décor and exciting atmosphere.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday, October 25th<br /></span><br /> Epcot, Food & Wine Festival - Culinary<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>demonstrations, seminars and wine tastings<br />Return flight from MCO to HSVUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-9743377031506156572008-06-15T14:01:00.000-05:002009-03-23T14:13:25.141-05:00Another Day at Sea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlwlz4_6m6dqLbnpUGqeAR5JmfLNMSQRpNief37iTEV0H61ZrAykQHyQG17qAGAUEDy8kcKPtwg01UDF5YNl4GfHL_KxBe5bzUK66421TWsreY3eRkbY3JIJtf-rwOIkb4dgpT5Y5BpE/s1600-h/P1020798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlwlz4_6m6dqLbnpUGqeAR5JmfLNMSQRpNief37iTEV0H61ZrAykQHyQG17qAGAUEDy8kcKPtwg01UDF5YNl4GfHL_KxBe5bzUK66421TWsreY3eRkbY3JIJtf-rwOIkb4dgpT5Y5BpE/s320/P1020798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316462606004053106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9yv2TJAkP6N86rCX6OoNNdZAxO7eMaiEmLIadhFTxvqu_kQE9-wsjKKYnTpksuaiTdn7DRJAt7DSinJzOk-rezdqRz3xsnsGlM_Iy7D0mfiSwCaKMk02MyV0uiQqPujOYRKKh-vwF8A/s1600-h/P1020796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9yv2TJAkP6N86rCX6OoNNdZAxO7eMaiEmLIadhFTxvqu_kQE9-wsjKKYnTpksuaiTdn7DRJAt7DSinJzOk-rezdqRz3xsnsGlM_Iy7D0mfiSwCaKMk02MyV0uiQqPujOYRKKh-vwF8A/s320/P1020796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316462551707813010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboNNoR3ZCzk3XYL5pmtNXNcyjKE3v8pGPAjkbDF9vDV-AiXX40CWwRxUKKF_lGeXjYFNvugHd0h2A1vi_disiVuDsU3Ba8mquCWQDxPNlTGZnjd-nAIGUm7MoNG_rp5SKGBsh7hr6otg/s1600-h/P1020793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboNNoR3ZCzk3XYL5pmtNXNcyjKE3v8pGPAjkbDF9vDV-AiXX40CWwRxUKKF_lGeXjYFNvugHd0h2A1vi_disiVuDsU3Ba8mquCWQDxPNlTGZnjd-nAIGUm7MoNG_rp5SKGBsh7hr6otg/s320/P1020793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316462468544673330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPRpqN_nTH7Th0bWgCPY75Sw01wESJj8m30_b1EMvrmsGQ0cRyXsNRF45zZzMACLHhSIMTLUDPTcROTgPbf05lp0WiUNZHJlu3lE4CpWWmiGMQZy4-Jq5osA-dqA4MLk9RRX_0HAj88E/s1600-h/P1020791.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPRpqN_nTH7Th0bWgCPY75Sw01wESJj8m30_b1EMvrmsGQ0cRyXsNRF45zZzMACLHhSIMTLUDPTcROTgPbf05lp0WiUNZHJlu3lE4CpWWmiGMQZy4-Jq5osA-dqA4MLk9RRX_0HAj88E/s320/P1020791.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316462374479726786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JgJwpC_nYu3Dbfwl9NTfnjPgNX_NmWaIsJxExZANqhrJYpf7g3qe9rU0Uue4thyphenhyphen2irl6GI6nArTa0Q33F7JFG8-_dJVvKbLYebBJrFIzmmPl8VTXznEBhj1DLrFLKWeZUm3LA5QMFhE/s1600-h/P1020790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JgJwpC_nYu3Dbfwl9NTfnjPgNX_NmWaIsJxExZANqhrJYpf7g3qe9rU0Uue4thyphenhyphen2irl6GI6nArTa0Q33F7JFG8-_dJVvKbLYebBJrFIzmmPl8VTXznEBhj1DLrFLKWeZUm3LA5QMFhE/s320/P1020790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316462215261949010" border="0" /></a><br />Just to finish the cruise blog up (better later than never right?) here are some photos from our Palo brunch and Galley Tour on our final day of the cruise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-84010394666399203352008-06-14T22:03:00.009-05:002008-12-09T07:14:52.512-06:00Friday The 13th - Day at Sea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZWoLr_DQYTEMtB_VHDAV175KFrIqen2KyLbdAKkRdPfTTVmR91_0Me3lH-SxML0pbl5MBDRDVKQA17Hy-g_4tPsS_uIdD7qk6WwJU8dwqbuSKEQGHNznYzuxlmT3JJnY40DjY0JJ_qI/s1600-h/Stageworks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZWoLr_DQYTEMtB_VHDAV175KFrIqen2KyLbdAKkRdPfTTVmR91_0Me3lH-SxML0pbl5MBDRDVKQA17Hy-g_4tPsS_uIdD7qk6WwJU8dwqbuSKEQGHNznYzuxlmT3JJnY40DjY0JJ_qI/s320/Stageworks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211939349518655330" border="0" /></a>Hello again, Jeff here.<span style=""> </span>It’s Saturday afternoon on the ship and it is once again VERY COOL outside.<span style=""> </span>Every sea day has been overcast, windy and temperatures have hovered in the 60’s.<span style=""> </span>I’ve got about 20 minutes before we go on the kitchen tour so I’ll try to summarize what we did yesterday. <p class="MsoNormal">In the morning, we spent time doing a backstage tour of the Walt Disney Theatre called “Stageworks”.<span style=""> </span>The presentation was done by the theatre and costume technicians.<span style=""> </span>The presentation consisted of some prepared video clips, talks by the production personnel and a demonstration of how scene changes are done.<span style=""> </span>At the end, guests were invited up on stage to talk one on one with the technicians and staff.<span style=""> </span>This activity was limited to guests 18 and older.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8wmJ9-tAvjedu7pqceGpZGcTKmCwzIxkroVlxuXgqHZbYb2DPOKLynEuz1CFidYv4jFRqTBjnC8oLE26Mxom2l55mj2Y3rsqFQJqVg8sGtf6R_FO6m-peYT7HD4xAFX-iw7GKLehFuM/s1600-h/Costumes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8wmJ9-tAvjedu7pqceGpZGcTKmCwzIxkroVlxuXgqHZbYb2DPOKLynEuz1CFidYv4jFRqTBjnC8oLE26Mxom2l55mj2Y3rsqFQJqVg8sGtf6R_FO6m-peYT7HD4xAFX-iw7GKLehFuM/s320/Costumes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211939556049763906" border="0" /></a>This was followed by a “Behind the Scenes” look at the ABC Television network operations, including its affiliate ESPN, provided by Executive Vice President Jeff Bader.<span style=""> </span>Jeff had a nice presentation and answered a lot of the questions average viewers have about why TV programming is the way it is.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Susan and I then went to the Sessions Lounge we were participated in our second wine tasting of the cruise.<span style=""> </span>These tastings are offered on each Sea Day and different wines are used each time.<span style=""> </span>Our favorite surprisingly was a Merlot – neither Susan or I are Merlot fans but the Smoking Loon (a relatively cheap wine) was good; so good we ordered a bottle later in the evening with our dinner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySDbkfi38loeErM-d363tmdQQDjsdMUWnImEZ6xyFQnC49w1J2ZHk15p_vR4bQ_bAEx2t02mBqQzFUQtsE7Oudsz2aIu-2iPB-PZPopabOhBFkCkS6ZfwnqRvCPDcsN0P6qaN1IA18JU/s1600-h/Susan_Katy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySDbkfi38loeErM-d363tmdQQDjsdMUWnImEZ6xyFQnC49w1J2ZHk15p_vR4bQ_bAEx2t02mBqQzFUQtsE7Oudsz2aIu-2iPB-PZPopabOhBFkCkS6ZfwnqRvCPDcsN0P6qaN1IA18JU/s320/Susan_Katy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211940017965550418" border="0" /></a>Susan and Katy then participated in the Origami Animals class in the Promenade Lounge.<span style=""> </span>Katy now makes a wicked Origami Crane.<span style=""> </span>I stayed in the stateroom and took the time to update the blog on our <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Puerto Vallarta</st1:place></st1:city> tour.<span style=""> </span>Next, after showers and donning our semi-formal apparel, we made our way to the Disney Theatre for “Disney Dreams:<span style=""> </span>An Enchanted Classic”.<span style=""> </span>This show was rated the #1 show in the entire cruise line business and is an impressive production.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We then went to the family cabaret show of musician/comedian John Charles.<span style=""> </span>John is a long time favorite on the Disney Magic and he was again thoroughly entertaining.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftN65uxLeb7S8OTnSjRBkc5r2kDfMXytZjXdchLQLM4aE_VwgLsFDcDIKL9iyUGhChV4LpMPpYdSclGPUS_ot2xcT5DMin7vU5UfJAn93C3NQU2YFw1hSreAfW0qKnnpufFxB1npPfe8/s1600-h/Dinner_Origami.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftN65uxLeb7S8OTnSjRBkc5r2kDfMXytZjXdchLQLM4aE_VwgLsFDcDIKL9iyUGhChV4LpMPpYdSclGPUS_ot2xcT5DMin7vU5UfJAn93C3NQU2YFw1hSreAfW0qKnnpufFxB1npPfe8/s320/Dinner_Origami.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211940335368551266" border="0" /></a>Dinner was in Lumiere’s, my favorite restaurant.<span style=""> </span>The other guests at our table didn’t make it to dinner so it was just the three of us and that made dinner more leisurely.<span style=""> </span>Jonathan, our assistant server entertained us with a number of tricks and brain teasers involving crayons on the table.<span style=""> </span>Katy also showed Jonathan her new-found Origami skills and taught him how to make the Crane.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We finished out the night with the Dessert Buffet.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, given we’d just finished dinner less than an hour earlier, we really couldn’t do it justice.<span style=""> </span>We did have fun just looking at the artistry of the cakes, pastries, chocolate fountains and other goodies the chefs created.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZf_LYxw-yOgNOBunENkasIcmncV772rceHgXoMiwVU7oMxs5n1uivRL5tU0eVnw0STQfWYOa-wbdbF-hN9F4-ODCrDE2n7zUVK8ehBapxHLb4VA08q0Sx5a0P8NImNNM4G3s9EXOIxE/s1600-h/Chocolate_Fountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZf_LYxw-yOgNOBunENkasIcmncV772rceHgXoMiwVU7oMxs5n1uivRL5tU0eVnw0STQfWYOa-wbdbF-hN9F4-ODCrDE2n7zUVK8ehBapxHLb4VA08q0Sx5a0P8NImNNM4G3s9EXOIxE/s320/Chocolate_Fountain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211940566401583058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqiGLYSV7R4KtIqXiXnbdf8DAXYS_pYrLDBGuvt1nvIYLo_YoWBv_fdB6B5ru_K8OXn1GTJpE8sHqunInSOlbJxEM75BW7umKjwSJMzOmd4IyQv_5FkvMftVhiFrJJU9pb2ViW3-jWsA/s1600-h/Chocolate_Piano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqiGLYSV7R4KtIqXiXnbdf8DAXYS_pYrLDBGuvt1nvIYLo_YoWBv_fdB6B5ru_K8OXn1GTJpE8sHqunInSOlbJxEM75BW7umKjwSJMzOmd4IyQv_5FkvMftVhiFrJJU9pb2ViW3-jWsA/s320/Chocolate_Piano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211940789216554130" border="0" /></a>This will be my last post onboard – I’ve used up my 250 internet minutes.<span style=""> </span>I’ll post the activities of our final day at sea, debarkation, and (hopefully) time at <st1:place st="on">Disneyland</st1:place> / California Adventure when I get internet access again.<span style=""> </span>Adios from the Magic!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-49115515763275939852008-06-13T17:02:00.013-05:002008-12-09T07:14:54.732-06:00Puerto Vallarta & City and Tequila Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2erx4FeElUJK7N_FS1VZRgBdmhwuaaw1XDtP8GRJqdsvPQ7FlTYPIa_pD8RNKnjv9nD4Wnlml4OC5Sby12GSmKYphlkqUJMU60o43uLHy5jWFYVBdRoAkohN8wSweLGv4x5DNeyasJP4/s1600-h/Magic_PV.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2erx4FeElUJK7N_FS1VZRgBdmhwuaaw1XDtP8GRJqdsvPQ7FlTYPIa_pD8RNKnjv9nD4Wnlml4OC5Sby12GSmKYphlkqUJMU60o43uLHy5jWFYVBdRoAkohN8wSweLGv4x5DNeyasJP4/s320/Magic_PV.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211490652480523106" border="0" /></a>Hello again, Jeff here to tell you about our day in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Puerto Vallarta</st1:place></st1:city>, hereafter known as PV for short.<span style=""> </span>Like our day in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> on Wednesday, Thursday was overcast but still comfortably warm and we had no rain – which was good.<span style=""> </span>I’d start off with a little history of PV; however, I didn’t pick up one of the little cheat sheets as we were leaving the ship so I have nothing from which to copy.<span style=""> </span>For those reading the blog that are future cruisers on Disney’s Mexican Riviera cruise this summer note that you lose an hour of sleep (i.e., you set your clocks forward 1 hour) on both Tuesday night and Wednesday night so the Magic keeps ship time equal to local time. <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh63Am692Z4ppblY16Clgsqpm027i3Fyzt5NX3G-ac0AzGosNeDVNNnKqccwT9UtQVC3yLxrEf5ZyorhN6qS62uOJywyC1F8bcDsDaN7EYYi8AwL-H7wXP1QWB2Z5DEmwMTOFF0IXyhok/s1600-h/PV_Beach_Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh63Am692Z4ppblY16Clgsqpm027i3Fyzt5NX3G-ac0AzGosNeDVNNnKqccwT9UtQVC3yLxrEf5ZyorhN6qS62uOJywyC1F8bcDsDaN7EYYi8AwL-H7wXP1QWB2Z5DEmwMTOFF0IXyhok/s320/PV_Beach_Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211490465556165538" border="0" /></a>I’d arranged a 4 hour tour of the city and tequila tasting (through Mazatlan Frank) with his friend Fernando Alfredo as our guide.<span style=""> </span>The cost of the tour was $35/person.<span style=""> </span>We were to meet Alfredo at 10 am at the Hospitality Tent just as we departed the ship.<span style=""> </span>As it turned out, Alfredo was doing a tour with passengers on the Vision of the Sea and had asked Bernardo to handle our tour.<span style=""> </span>Bernardo asked if we’d mind waiting a few minutes while he tried to get another couple to join us.<span style=""> </span>We didn’t mind – in fact Frank had mentioned this to us yesterday during his tour of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> so we were expecting it.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM3C-4gJuIgnIgpjm5rUCqC524IkiScbh2DZ_SHOFIgkBzWJ8w-VAXf2h4yOQEBZbQrVwY5BrXZb47bGtU-UDbZZ_Kv3O6pmA6NUvf4MJujiM9XmMeFWALnyhNcySln017qRx97kDsDo/s1600-h/Hotels_Condos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM3C-4gJuIgnIgpjm5rUCqC524IkiScbh2DZ_SHOFIgkBzWJ8w-VAXf2h4yOQEBZbQrVwY5BrXZb47bGtU-UDbZZ_Kv3O6pmA6NUvf4MJujiM9XmMeFWALnyhNcySln017qRx97kDsDo/s320/Hotels_Condos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211491014392675666" border="0" /></a>After only a few minutes Bernardo came walking up with Gene and Carmen, an older couple and fellow cruisers on the Magic.<span style=""> </span>Soon we were off in Bernardo’s sparkling clean, comfortable 12 passenger van heading south on the main road through <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Puerto Vallarta</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Bernardo shared with us quite a few facts including that PV depends almost entirely on the tourism industry for its economy.<span style=""> </span>Despite being located on a bay, it has a very small fishing industry – most of what is done is geared to the sport/tourist fisherman.<span style=""> </span>PV’s official population is on the order of 250,000; however, it is one of the fastest growing cities in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> so its actual population is larger.<span style=""> </span>The growth is apparent in all the building that we saw along our tour.<span style=""> </span>Numerous hotel and condominium complexes were being built in addition to the many already there.<span style=""> </span>Also, PV was more modern looking to me…from the Sam’s Club and Super Walmart you see just across from the pier to the Home Depot just down the road.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQH7hdYxhdXu-bTuoaiE7VBqcJYurOvBb5OhXfNG5TIDKySOjFZwXKSvMuMHsDd3REfkT7j7_D4LPMAzbbcFpJWh_c2vYD30D6qh-hbZsxIh5AsHAH7aGQ8lfKzySsr0QYlEqofyM93k/s1600-h/Rocks_Park.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQH7hdYxhdXu-bTuoaiE7VBqcJYurOvBb5OhXfNG5TIDKySOjFZwXKSvMuMHsDd3REfkT7j7_D4LPMAzbbcFpJWh_c2vYD30D6qh-hbZsxIh5AsHAH7aGQ8lfKzySsr0QYlEqofyM93k/s320/Rocks_Park.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211491671831952466" border="0" /></a>Things changed though the farther south we went.<span style=""> </span>Soon we transitioned from smooth roads to cobblestone roads that were rough.<span style=""> </span>The streets became much narrower and the buildings much older and modest.<span style=""> </span>After passing the Boardwalk area we entered the older part of the city. <span style=""> </span>Here Bernardo took us into the areas where the locals go to shop, get their hair cut, buy clothes and shoes.<span style=""> </span>It was really interesting.<span style=""> </span>We finally ended up at the southern end of the city in an area where there is an off shore underwater sanctuary that is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.<span style=""> </span>Just a bit further down was the area where they shot the movie “Night of the Iguana” in the 1960s.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NWjAAWkB0nfVmIpXToEWVbHgmgpGvREngcnOF4GTZzaIHQCYmsTMbYhRlwU8DXDCIlO9PHzuonk0CDygyLPF1lJYFzX8ocStpLE9k_l-E2Y9KQvAj3bBJmpijjk0zafUqH_Cr1jQB-8/s1600-h/Mama_Lucia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NWjAAWkB0nfVmIpXToEWVbHgmgpGvREngcnOF4GTZzaIHQCYmsTMbYhRlwU8DXDCIlO9PHzuonk0CDygyLPF1lJYFzX8ocStpLE9k_l-E2Y9KQvAj3bBJmpijjk0zafUqH_Cr1jQB-8/s320/Mama_Lucia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211495260224774210" border="0" /></a>Next, we made our way to Mama Lucia's Tequila Distillery. Actually, Mama Lucia was the great, great grandmother of the current operator. Once there, one of the family members explained to us each step of the tequila harvesting, preparation and distillation process and answered our questions. Then came the good stuff - yes, that's right the tequila tasting. Mama Lucia's offered the traditional white, reposado (golden color - aged in oak barrels for a few months) and anejo (aged in oak barrels for a minimum of one year) as well as flavored tequilas (orange, almond and chocolate). We sampled the white, reposado and all three flavored tequilas. All were very good.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjEH3eh7An71dDq_CpEvg1glLyckvJWglyCUVKIPCNWIy7NnUYQqFJlu5aa__zUYsOFEmYRs_90zCbRdNcFKLKaPBBs8br5ZNwA2u_XWyt0OBC9EaaGd1F6pIyO77x11pViNFcENoSw0/s1600-h/Group_Lunch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjEH3eh7An71dDq_CpEvg1glLyckvJWglyCUVKIPCNWIy7NnUYQqFJlu5aa__zUYsOFEmYRs_90zCbRdNcFKLKaPBBs8br5ZNwA2u_XWyt0OBC9EaaGd1F6pIyO77x11pViNFcENoSw0/s320/Group_Lunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211491966321313442" border="0" /></a>It was now about lunchtime, so Bernardo backtracked a bit and we went off-road to a restaurant called El Nogalito.<span style=""> </span>Nogalito apparently is a type of walnut tree.<span style=""> </span>The restaurant turned out to be fantastic.<span style=""> </span>The area was very lush with all types of flowers and vegetation.<span style=""> </span>The dining area was covered but still out in the open air.<span style=""> </span>Their were macaws around as well as birds and even an iguana.<span style=""> </span>Dinner was excellent and we enjoyed getting to know Gene and Carmen better as we dined.<span style=""> </span>On the way back to the ship, we stopped at the PV church, which was well adorned.<span style=""> </span>Our four hour tour turned into more like 5 hours but it seemed much shorter since we had such a good time.<span style=""> </span>Bernardo was an excellent tour guide.<span style=""> </span>His knowledge of PV, his personable nature and his love for his home town made him one of the very best guides we’ve ever had.<span style=""> </span>I would not hesitate to use him again or to recommend him to anyone. <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoLONo6G3gMsN7FAGEtCijk1kX5S9rr7S3-prhtznzy_PAataB_j9Dco5X7ZswbdhK76xj4ohKwZJAFiMQWrx4sBiGAf5UBm5bzcmehsaB_MJe0DyP0ojNl_MeW_xfYu1a9I66W6QE0k/s1600-h/Family_Dinner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoLONo6G3gMsN7FAGEtCijk1kX5S9rr7S3-prhtznzy_PAataB_j9Dco5X7ZswbdhK76xj4ohKwZJAFiMQWrx4sBiGAf5UBm5bzcmehsaB_MJe0DyP0ojNl_MeW_xfYu1a9I66W6QE0k/s320/Family_Dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211492280674256722" border="0" /></a>Once back on the ship, I took the opportunity to catch up on the blog while Susan and Katy did what?<span style=""> </span>Want to guess?<span style=""> </span>No, they didn’t nap but you’re close.<span style=""> </span>They both went and got a massage.<span style=""> </span>After taking our showers, Susan and I went and relaxed in the Sessions piano bar with some drinks and a cheese plate.<span style=""> </span>Katy doesn’t like Sessions – she says they only play “old people” music so she stayed in the stateroom and watched TV.<span style=""> </span>We met up at 8:15 and made our way to dinner in Parrot Cay – which tonight was Pirate themed as tonight was “Pirate Night”.<span style=""> </span>Waiting for us on the table were pirate bandanas to put on our heads.<span style=""> </span>Actually, I was the only one to put it on my head, the girls didn’t want to mess up their hair.<span style=""> </span>I captured this photo of our two servers (Pema and Jonathan) and the head server (Ciao Romano – no I’m not kidding) with Susan and Katy.<span style=""> </span>We finished off the evening by attending the “Pirates in the <st1:place st="on">Caribbean</st1:place>” deck party and fireworks show. Tomorrow and Saturday are Sea Days.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3P8TFweoqwplnvbgnYcO8iWf1VzrYBTE2Am-D0VxSD35o9uR-0WpMHLW71mXrzH-xxgWbpqiBAQmrSdLdIl4x_zlQo54mhk6zJjuSMLAWw_UtHGlE2bk5EKQh_OwPE2aN2ERZuNV88Q/s1600-h/Family_Beachfront.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3P8TFweoqwplnvbgnYcO8iWf1VzrYBTE2Am-D0VxSD35o9uR-0WpMHLW71mXrzH-xxgWbpqiBAQmrSdLdIl4x_zlQo54mhk6zJjuSMLAWw_UtHGlE2bk5EKQh_OwPE2aN2ERZuNV88Q/s320/Family_Beachfront.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211498153685130114" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfry1CsqLRvEw2J1MxS-hoz6R9GKXBQ-l4mUxif1GoUtIYEOIYjXdsKm5oqImU42fqyGwL2N3JsZzDoKiTfU5L5Tg8t4u5qvUfRvhMl0QV7EerDNhbrTIpLhpLC1mE6FAa0_h7N83QbUc/s1600-h/Bernardo_Girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfry1CsqLRvEw2J1MxS-hoz6R9GKXBQ-l4mUxif1GoUtIYEOIYjXdsKm5oqImU42fqyGwL2N3JsZzDoKiTfU5L5Tg8t4u5qvUfRvhMl0QV7EerDNhbrTIpLhpLC1mE6FAa0_h7N83QbUc/s320/Bernardo_Girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211497837541015970" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D4sDHNT7xGfwFPlShprxfnifIt9rWtjW8wzQSuj2jvxcZxGCbFlVomveuDDSzkJEe4hjmIN6Bl3jWBOtyB8nhmUb1kZ0a0DNilmZS-QVaqp6AdPQMGVKvZj1T4l1vRwiZLUvnI7CXpo/s1600-h/Tequila_Tasting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D4sDHNT7xGfwFPlShprxfnifIt9rWtjW8wzQSuj2jvxcZxGCbFlVomveuDDSzkJEe4hjmIN6Bl3jWBOtyB8nhmUb1kZ0a0DNilmZS-QVaqp6AdPQMGVKvZj1T4l1vRwiZLUvnI7CXpo/s320/Tequila_Tasting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211497576718928434" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIpf1aRWEap3T0lSr0aJaLW8bvhWf1HT20ZyyU3LpIN4C0XETcPxP-8jxqAKUIGPFrB0pgLCOTqC0BFGsFXkQBPmxu-zRmD2BBVrWaRrmeEJCOVvQz484wJFn3gLuogE9T2USm_RB7p0/s1600-h/Agave_Cones.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIpf1aRWEap3T0lSr0aJaLW8bvhWf1HT20ZyyU3LpIN4C0XETcPxP-8jxqAKUIGPFrB0pgLCOTqC0BFGsFXkQBPmxu-zRmD2BBVrWaRrmeEJCOVvQz484wJFn3gLuogE9T2USm_RB7p0/s320/Agave_Cones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211497298763384466" border="0" /></a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHO627ZD4m1s6cMiIkYZH75qqt0LNUEjgqdOdF3OkagRkGdCgUQk3kqpiyB4pueyMbQ7b32szCWWVrwR6xXD2OqwjgKIm7vshkwK3ofMKYVx4nVqRhNykfWqi3p7SX8wYhTClPyDarMc/s1600-h/Blue_Agave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHO627ZD4m1s6cMiIkYZH75qqt0LNUEjgqdOdF3OkagRkGdCgUQk3kqpiyB4pueyMbQ7b32szCWWVrwR6xXD2OqwjgKIm7vshkwK3ofMKYVx4nVqRhNykfWqi3p7SX8wYhTClPyDarMc/s320/Blue_Agave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211497034690594690" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O5tqXpjIFG-Glb6WtbUuw4Ymsdeh36NoBOC-Ylsyxnoys_fUB5dCpV5rLSWkfvmZ9MsN-vq-dQMwaElDXAFeutd1d8psnpgfqC1JFUiCcJad89K1PnIiy4mBuWydgADu84KYYNcdSD8/s1600-h/Authentic_PInata.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O5tqXpjIFG-Glb6WtbUuw4Ymsdeh36NoBOC-Ylsyxnoys_fUB5dCpV5rLSWkfvmZ9MsN-vq-dQMwaElDXAFeutd1d8psnpgfqC1JFUiCcJad89K1PnIiy4mBuWydgADu84KYYNcdSD8/s320/Authentic_PInata.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211496736352189298" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-16718087311394222482008-06-12T09:39:00.023-05:002008-12-09T07:14:57.270-06:00Mazatlan & City and Colonial TourHello, Jeff here.<span style=""> </span>We’ve just returned from our tour of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Puerto Vallarta</st1:place></st1:city> and Tequila “factory”.<span style=""> </span>We’ve got another 4 hours in port so I have time to add a description and photos to the Cabo entry for our dinner at Palo and to catch up on what we did yesterday in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""></span> First some history. <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBV6JFQSyagKChS9zqsa_GGLa5H7pngvCrrUc3nz1zc6326rUxTsXon4xHIAh0w6QiVGl_NuSZwnV1qX3Xio7EHazIR7Prf5VXobxjVD9nJGo0AA2qhMycvupUUc25d2o3O4uhQDRuIs/s1600-h/Mermaid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBV6JFQSyagKChS9zqsa_GGLa5H7pngvCrrUc3nz1zc6326rUxTsXon4xHIAh0w6QiVGl_NuSZwnV1qX3Xio7EHazIR7Prf5VXobxjVD9nJGo0AA2qhMycvupUUc25d2o3O4uhQDRuIs/s320/Mermaid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211129666399641890" border="0" /></a><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> was first settled by Totorames and Xiximes, who are believed to have given the city its name, which means “place of the deer.”<span style=""> </span>At one time, herds of deer wandered throughout the area.<span style=""> </span>Today, in their memory, a large statue of a deer stands proudly on the waterfront and is also included on the city’s coat of arms.<span style=""> </span>Founded in 1531, the city served as a port for Spanish galleons loading up on gold and silver from the <st1:place st="on">Sierra Madre Oriental</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Pirates who preyed on the treasure-rich ships, including the infamous Sir Francis Drake, also frequented the region, and rumors of gold and silver buried here endure to this day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After incorporation in 1792, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> was officially established as a municipality in 1837.<span style=""> </span>Shortly thereafter, the city enjoyed a surge of growth when a large group of German immigrants arrived.<span style=""> </span>They established strong trade ties.<span style=""> </span>The port has remained active and vital to the region, and today it is <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s main commercial port on the west coast.<span style=""> </span>One of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>’s largest exports is shrimp; approximately 40 million pounds are shipped abroad annually.<span style=""> </span>The city also has an interesting military history.<span style=""> </span>In 1847, the US Navy blockaded the port and the French bombarded it in 1864.<span style=""> </span>After the American Civil War, a group of defeated Confederate loyalists attempted to establish a community in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> was also the second city in the world to be aerially bombed, attacked in 1914 during the Mexican Revolution.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f0Pzhnm1gnwcZIVPQkJ3dkcAK0n-2_bN2HLfS86sdHWk1Pu2UnUrH3WvQOhVa7mAoBAyfTMF0CH43Pbx2Er2yg4rb7F1kAaYSjWJKDi4rrW5Jz9n5OKxxjZQsn3wNqypTFhB1f-SW6M/s1600-h/Shrimp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f0Pzhnm1gnwcZIVPQkJ3dkcAK0n-2_bN2HLfS86sdHWk1Pu2UnUrH3WvQOhVa7mAoBAyfTMF0CH43Pbx2Er2yg4rb7F1kAaYSjWJKDi4rrW5Jz9n5OKxxjZQsn3wNqypTFhB1f-SW6M/s320/Shrimp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211130119897145650" border="0" /></a><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> differs from other well known tourist resorts with its dual personality.<span style=""> </span>Though tourism accounts for half of the city’s economic importance, the other half includes shrimp and tuna fishing, freezing and canning plants, commerce and port activities.<span style=""> </span>These two aspects meld to form the city’s distinct personality.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our tour of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> was with Mazatlan Frank, who I’d heard about on cruisecritic.com forums.<span style=""> </span>Frank has been doing tours of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>, his home city, for many years and his attention to detail, demeanor, pride in his city and personality make him an excellent tour guide.<span style=""> </span>We met Frank just outside the cruise terminal where we also met up with the rest of our tour group from the Magic – a couple from <st1:city st="on">San Francisco</st1:city> and a family of 5 from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We fit comfortably in a 12 passenger, air-conditioned van.<span style=""> </span>The weather for the day was cloudy, with rain showers possible.<span style=""> </span>We took our rain jackets just in case but we were fortunate as it only sprinkled a couple of times.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVkrtFDSu6XKSLFLhUa0CF7MqXTxON31ZiprMJXYnPGfNZhYKl8vzlWr2Yp3NvBfS-fopB01LND7l_1Y0UKmT3Kg6A5x9NnsqWRjnBnvnf97IXZAuPSD4TI2bBCnFV6S2AeNyOvcYBd4/s1600-h/Brick_Maker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVkrtFDSu6XKSLFLhUa0CF7MqXTxON31ZiprMJXYnPGfNZhYKl8vzlWr2Yp3NvBfS-fopB01LND7l_1Y0UKmT3Kg6A5x9NnsqWRjnBnvnf97IXZAuPSD4TI2bBCnFV6S2AeNyOvcYBd4/s320/Brick_Maker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211124037927101698" border="0" /></a>Our first stop was a brick “factory” which was basically a one-man operation.<span style=""> </span>The man would shovel the clay soil into a wheel barrow, mix it with grass, straw and manure.<span style=""> </span>He’d then shovel the mixture into a wood rack laying on the ground and smooth off the top.<span style=""> </span>The ground was sanded so the wet bricks didn’t stick.<span style=""> </span>After drying on the ground, the bricks would then be assembled into a kiln structure.<span style=""> </span>A hardwood fire would be started inside and it burn for about two days before the bricks were fired properly.<span style=""> </span>The man could make about 2000 bricks a day, which equated to about $20.<span style=""> </span>This was better than minimum wage, which in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> is about $5 per 8 hour day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dN2T5ab1b5YiYmEeNOfrO9ejL0pseEZ5sc6bAKKt1V1Y3prEnoVT7392wXqRT2cKnZAhIrdVuKViaMlADdrE0Ss0hEpPVkrhHY8Z_Cge3mRmLTXvUT5r1bCHZ_JZoWleXUzvAZcDVLc/s1600-h/Bakery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dN2T5ab1b5YiYmEeNOfrO9ejL0pseEZ5sc6bAKKt1V1Y3prEnoVT7392wXqRT2cKnZAhIrdVuKViaMlADdrE0Ss0hEpPVkrhHY8Z_Cge3mRmLTXvUT5r1bCHZ_JZoWleXUzvAZcDVLc/s320/Bakery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211124521669627538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvrJ2os7avKTrGCxNNf-sQKxx-1yWx9PrJFWIu67X0KZmg0WY2QgQnG0bATwBsLrqrJNj2PHF9r6S9CBTKsjiDsPSiW_YLdOqiUbJxIX6xcPzXouWyEUfkA8N4_PmZUv32Yc_L-HdIWU/s1600-h/Tiles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvrJ2os7avKTrGCxNNf-sQKxx-1yWx9PrJFWIu67X0KZmg0WY2QgQnG0bATwBsLrqrJNj2PHF9r6S9CBTKsjiDsPSiW_YLdOqiUbJxIX6xcPzXouWyEUfkA8N4_PmZUv32Yc_L-HdIWU/s320/Tiles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211124910432939186" border="0" /></a>Our next stop was Malpica, a quaint little town of about 1,400 people.<span style=""> </span>Here we visited an old fashioned bakery that used a wood burning oven to make some of the best bread and pastries I’ve ever had.<span style=""> </span>Just the smell was worth paying for.<span style=""> </span>We bought two pastries for $1.<span style=""> </span>Next we watched a man make colored tiles using a 100+ year old hand press.<span style=""> </span>Very interesting and they were beautiful tiles.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo2Ob6rNm8nyvSGyJGYGhuqR9wGIIto9cnYS97L2moDwPoMJCKMVQgRzJNMftba1xRT1Va8DIEFAtCgACF4DGZoZXZTkXLTPtScK-stM7A5xTE0KPrSwkZfGIB1Cpy4ckOQaDrKU3FHg/s1600-h/Furniture_Factory.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo2Ob6rNm8nyvSGyJGYGhuqR9wGIIto9cnYS97L2moDwPoMJCKMVQgRzJNMftba1xRT1Va8DIEFAtCgACF4DGZoZXZTkXLTPtScK-stM7A5xTE0KPrSwkZfGIB1Cpy4ckOQaDrKU3FHg/s320/Furniture_Factory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211125201925956226" border="0" /></a>A furniture “factory” was our next stop.<span style=""> </span>Here about a half dozen men made custom furniture by hand with basic woodworking tools.<span style=""> </span>The “factory” was actually an open air shed that provided protection from rain but still allowed the workers to have fresh air and a breeze in which to work.<span style=""> </span>Adjacent to the factory was a ceramic “factory” where they made all types of figurines, plates, bowls, cups, wind chimes, tiles – you name it, and they made it.<span style=""> </span>They also had some leather goods and jewelry.<span style=""> </span>We browsed here before moving on to Concordia.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC-xtnxCjdfa_c9M8K_y-Yvljqj78uDQH6qDdO_1f0Y4xYvS6P-MVvCqtye0asiAgrloTr4VFMPPHgPXIQizzxG2qr_CZRt9xuINiBkUbNggD0xJSqc3bvmoRcORaTeX_fj32PbGmCag/s1600-h/Ceramics.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC-xtnxCjdfa_c9M8K_y-Yvljqj78uDQH6qDdO_1f0Y4xYvS6P-MVvCqtye0asiAgrloTr4VFMPPHgPXIQizzxG2qr_CZRt9xuINiBkUbNggD0xJSqc3bvmoRcORaTeX_fj32PbGmCag/s320/Ceramics.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211125444675812066" border="0" /></a>Concordia was a much bigger town than Malpica.<span style=""> </span>There was a town square, a nice old church and plenty of open air arts and crafts shops.<span style=""> </span>After spending about 20 minutes here we were on the road again back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Frank had this touring thing down.<span style=""> </span>As we were driving back into town, he passed out a menu for a restaurant called Tony’s on the Beach.<span style=""> </span>Frank took our order and while we were shopping in the “Golden Zone” (read high priced tourist area) Frank called in our orders so they would be ready for us when we arrived.<span style=""> </span>Is that service or what?</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv9oWIs7VNYK36NBYIr9qVBtuKS72zJB47Hkc85jiDeWJrJ7F2fiaKDcOeJINZQTKE9CnPLT3rMh-lhZILtWnTRFwqh22OtGHbEiRtz9yHPVSqGKTao1McOk0xa5UDpouqifIQhZLY_o/s1600-h/Tony_Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv9oWIs7VNYK36NBYIr9qVBtuKS72zJB47Hkc85jiDeWJrJ7F2fiaKDcOeJINZQTKE9CnPLT3rMh-lhZILtWnTRFwqh22OtGHbEiRtz9yHPVSqGKTao1McOk0xa5UDpouqifIQhZLY_o/s320/Tony_Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211126044255574562" border="0" /></a>Tony’s turned out to be a nice, open-air restaurant right on the beach.<span style=""> </span>Since <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> is known for shrimp, I ordered the jumbo garlic shrimp and they were yummy!<span style=""> </span>I also had a concoction whose name I’ve forgotten but basically you put lime juice and ice in a glass and then top it off with beer (Pacifico) and salt on the rim.<span style=""> </span>Very refreshing.<span style=""> </span>Susan and Katy had the Mexican plates which included lots of traditional food.<span style=""> </span>We were also treated to complimentary tequila and Sprite shots after lunch. <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA5g1EsEoegjtxf1aVC7HOFSQ47847sibA3aQ0_hJhz5dW9ThYIKDzQLqVRtg1YlJQnJML2KyVY10FMMcSpLTZSYesMIV9sVmEcMq1BU4Z0kCBbGJIiNfbYVM-5nrGg_dpQM321UVtCk/s1600-h/Rock_Diver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA5g1EsEoegjtxf1aVC7HOFSQ47847sibA3aQ0_hJhz5dW9ThYIKDzQLqVRtg1YlJQnJML2KyVY10FMMcSpLTZSYesMIV9sVmEcMq1BU4Z0kCBbGJIiNfbYVM-5nrGg_dpQM321UVtCk/s320/Rock_Diver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211127068673755906" border="0" /></a>We waddled out to the van and continued our tour by visiting an exclusive area called El Cid.<span style=""> </span>Homes start at $250,000 and go up into the millions.<span style=""> </span>It reminded me a lot of driving around on the Gulf Coast of Florida or down in the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">West Palm Beach</st1:place></st1:city> area.<span style=""> </span>We noticed quite a few license plates on the cars were from the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>We also drove along the coastal road and were able to see a rock diver make a 45 foot dive into water only 5-6 feet deep.<span style=""> </span>I was amazed how far out the guy had to jump – it had to be at least 20 feet!<span style=""> </span>Tough way to make a living.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYHIrakgt0Z07W075Yf5Rm-7Y4hdDO99g9oHm3LgtJSPwvPx0f4YqDNyhF3C_AMKKrcQqB0VWbDwMMdL16TDAggJsKuEIXIBNAm9wumQA5k7J_E18d7mgpPdDVp9F8NoLI9z1PVnj7A/s1600-h/Square.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYHIrakgt0Z07W075Yf5Rm-7Y4hdDO99g9oHm3LgtJSPwvPx0f4YqDNyhF3C_AMKKrcQqB0VWbDwMMdL16TDAggJsKuEIXIBNAm9wumQA5k7J_E18d7mgpPdDVp9F8NoLI9z1PVnj7A/s320/Square.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211127420617988978" border="0" /></a>We finished the tour off by visiting the old part of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>I really enjoy getting to see the areas away from the touristy parts of town and this fit the bill quite nicely.<span style=""> </span>You can see from the photo that there was a lovely square here with nice sidewalk restaurants and gathering areas for the locals.<span style=""> </span>Frank made one final stop at an overlook so we could photograph the Magic back at the port.<span style=""> </span>All told, the tour was 7 hours long and we all came away quite pleased that we were able to see as much of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city> and its people and culture as we did.<span style=""> </span>I would highly recommend Mazatlan Frank to any tourist looking for a good tour guide.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0XicrsxREh5y5jH5OJWwwkeWowJYlF5mBRv_bBIrJzX7SIsm5pZRfN6tUaQgBgrAxx5rPmruQA6RsnuRgGwZEfiL-w7AVtMLOTir6R0rVF9_U03DTvKNDLTsvN28dKwBseDuPfwcW-o/s1600-h/Magic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0XicrsxREh5y5jH5OJWwwkeWowJYlF5mBRv_bBIrJzX7SIsm5pZRfN6tUaQgBgrAxx5rPmruQA6RsnuRgGwZEfiL-w7AVtMLOTir6R0rVF9_U03DTvKNDLTsvN28dKwBseDuPfwcW-o/s320/Magic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211127693082270514" border="0" /></a>Once back on the ship, the girls napped while I worked on the blog.<span style=""> </span>After showering, we then caught the 6:15 showing of “Twice Charmed” an interesting twist on the Cinderella story.<span style=""> </span>We then went to the 7:30 cabaret show of John Charles.<span style=""> </span>John plays guitar and does comedy and he does both extremely well.<span style=""> </span>Any guy that can play the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana one minute and Queen and Lynard Skynard the next has some talent.<span style=""> </span>We also enjoyed some margaritas. After dinner, Susan and I went to the adult comedy show of Heath Hyche.<span style=""> </span>From what I remember, he was pretty good.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, I think I slept through most of it as I didn’t get a nap earlier like the girls.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzHYjl_3aFY-d9uNge9PTsgKI-WmvxSeCDTc9zF1csy22molf-p7CJjIFv3ZzpQFep2tPXygmRDF_J4JoxZ9Z8pomEIZx4BQUnS-MkJHg0p1jle6ngRaZCnZQw-OFMOXTvQyiJPZmx2k/s1600-h/Shopping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzHYjl_3aFY-d9uNge9PTsgKI-WmvxSeCDTc9zF1csy22molf-p7CJjIFv3ZzpQFep2tPXygmRDF_J4JoxZ9Z8pomEIZx4BQUnS-MkJHg0p1jle6ngRaZCnZQw-OFMOXTvQyiJPZmx2k/s320/Shopping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211126421126223442" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNgQFXAaMOsFjby_d9AxCopjw2Ht2_Oim0PpWTIRa_HNFUknZ3420BW8QElC2hqCJKarmrbrOc4rMXj4OH4sF90lJlnb4IUsezbMz-kVlbg7rjK-ayWS3WqosbdRf-5w6JwEKSRdQxTo/s1600-h/Margaritas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNgQFXAaMOsFjby_d9AxCopjw2Ht2_Oim0PpWTIRa_HNFUknZ3420BW8QElC2hqCJKarmrbrOc4rMXj4OH4sF90lJlnb4IUsezbMz-kVlbg7rjK-ayWS3WqosbdRf-5w6JwEKSRdQxTo/s320/Margaritas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211141408920445266" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzHYjl_3aFY-d9uNge9PTsgKI-WmvxSeCDTc9zF1csy22molf-p7CJjIFv3ZzpQFep2tPXygmRDF_J4JoxZ9Z8pomEIZx4BQUnS-MkJHg0p1jle6ngRaZCnZQw-OFMOXTvQyiJPZmx2k/s1600-h/Shopping.jpg"><br /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-62789016652315381672008-06-11T17:52:00.013-05:002008-12-09T07:15:00.581-06:00Cabo San Lucas & 4 x 4 Desert Safari Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iclRBM_NYKQ0Ay0Cd8IS25UkCeqQ255xjmHEUCjvvWSjbZLmYwAuf1_4kgArnS_nSEmZabYjO82JkCIg8tvp4jOI7wnqAUYZ7IRp-vnaMyF9m1urPeR9BdcjFUCMnHJi5YqKwEhEqwg/s1600-h/Cabo_Rocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iclRBM_NYKQ0Ay0Cd8IS25UkCeqQ255xjmHEUCjvvWSjbZLmYwAuf1_4kgArnS_nSEmZabYjO82JkCIg8tvp4jOI7wnqAUYZ7IRp-vnaMyF9m1urPeR9BdcjFUCMnHJi5YqKwEhEqwg/s320/Cabo_Rocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210760928933854738" border="0" /></a>To wet your appetite, I’m going to post some pictures of our day in Cabo yesterday.<span style=""> </span>As forecast, the weather turned out to be amazing – bright, clear but best of all WARM (in the 80’s).<span style=""> </span>Our tour was the 4 x 4 Desert Safari with Cabo Adventures.<span style=""> </span>I’d heard about this tour on Tripadvisor.com and tried to book it myself; however, when I called them I found out that Disney had already booked all their spots.<span style=""> </span>Of course Disney added another $20/person to the tour price but I booked it anyway since it had gotten such rave reviews.<span style=""> </span>We were not disappointed.<span style=""> </span>Our tour guide Jose Luis was excellent and the ride into the desert in the Mercedes Unimog trucks was truly an adventure.<span style=""> </span>I’ll write more about the tour later when I’ve got more time.<span style=""> </span>I’ve got to jump in the shower and get ready for tonight’s show – Twice Charmed and dinner afterwards.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2jXCILc6WeigG1eMvCgU0WZvjlzkt3dwGLtCRKMUAh0xiwyfamWAJjgCEe-m6LFSFZPwq6HhA_lGthm4k-D9XFWjXz-FtgxPYJTmCAy88zhE2joE54XVUzmBtT_qx2Q6cwQxGM_mj8Y/s1600-h/Cabo_Marina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2jXCILc6WeigG1eMvCgU0WZvjlzkt3dwGLtCRKMUAh0xiwyfamWAJjgCEe-m6LFSFZPwq6HhA_lGthm4k-D9XFWjXz-FtgxPYJTmCAy88zhE2joE54XVUzmBtT_qx2Q6cwQxGM_mj8Y/s320/Cabo_Marina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210761113807679858" border="0" /></a>Let’s begin with a little history lesson.<span style=""> </span>Cabo San Lucas lies in the <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Baja California</st1:place></st1:state> peninsula in the state of Baja California Sur (south).<span style=""> </span>It has the Pacific Ocean on one side and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Sea</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Cortez</st1:placename></st1:place> on the other side.<span style=""> </span>Its population is approximately 41,000.<span style=""> </span>For centuries the Baja peninsula was inhabited by Cochimi Indians.<span style=""> </span>In the 16th century, lured by rumors of Aztec gold, the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez sent ships to explore the area.<span style=""> </span>The first ships landed in what is now <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">La Paz</st1:place></st1:city>, where many crew members were slain by Chochimis.<span style=""> </span>Though the survivors found no gold, they did discover a bounty in pearls.<span style=""> </span>Aside from the pearl trade, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Baja</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Peninsula</st1:placetype></st1:place> held no wealth for the Spaniards.<span style=""> </span>In the 17th century, the Jesuits arrived and founded the first mission in Loreto in 1697.<span style=""> </span>In all, 30 missions were founded by the Jesuits and later by Franciscans and Dominicans.<span style=""> </span>By the 1850s, as disease depopulated the peninsula, all were abandoned.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaeJ5h_PtkL_zuxIFrtdJ7YndpXj5ZrB6R028GFAxgL_zRk9GF30KWWeSu_9smFY-TD1Cwpxi1qGj2NGCGYaJRhuos_5hbwx-gERhWGT3TrlXLMLYOODO8fmnt7ii4fQrjJxsNw8ysz4/s1600-h/Cabo_Marina2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaeJ5h_PtkL_zuxIFrtdJ7YndpXj5ZrB6R028GFAxgL_zRk9GF30KWWeSu_9smFY-TD1Cwpxi1qGj2NGCGYaJRhuos_5hbwx-gERhWGT3TrlXLMLYOODO8fmnt7ii4fQrjJxsNw8ysz4/s320/Cabo_Marina2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210761311159294866" border="0" /></a>In 1834, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> President Polk sided with Texans who were tired of paying taxes to Mexican generals.<span style=""> </span>Troops marched on <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">La Paz</st1:place></st1:city> and San Jose del Cabo.<span style=""> </span>At the bargaining table, Americans conceded they didn’t need any more desert than they already had.<span style=""> </span>Baja was thus left to the Mexicans.<span style=""> </span>Today, Cabo San Lucas is unspoiled and is one of the world’s best fishing areas.<span style=""> </span>It remains Los Cabos’ primary tourist attraction with beautiful white sand beaches, great shopping and a large American retiree population.<span style=""> </span>Last year, 550,000 visitors arrived by air, car and cruise ships.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9b-EWsJbzrod8NtosHNykjlow67rRkoc5qMJt_dvGZxpSVssH8d_NobdoNkHcDJalytkDDKXUzyI6K7qfG3sf3ZMy9bXfRRLG2dIdiZ2VWTi3OC8MvTZoeBpSnBdCO-X3AEze3oDFx0/s1600-h/Desert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9b-EWsJbzrod8NtosHNykjlow67rRkoc5qMJt_dvGZxpSVssH8d_NobdoNkHcDJalytkDDKXUzyI6K7qfG3sf3ZMy9bXfRRLG2dIdiZ2VWTi3OC8MvTZoeBpSnBdCO-X3AEze3oDFx0/s320/Desert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210763488848353762" border="0" /></a>We began our tour at the Cabo Adventures Dolphin park, which was a short walk from the pier where we tendered in.<span style=""> </span>Cabo is a tender port, meaning the ship actually anchors out in the bay and small tender boats transport passengers to and from the port.<span style=""> </span>We were split up into groups and loaded into our Mercedes Unimog trucks to begin our adventure.<span style=""> </span>Our truck made it about two blocks before the engine quit right in the middle of the road.<span style=""> </span>The driver was able to coast backwards down the hill out of traffic.<span style=""> </span>Our tour guide called and we had another truck there to pick us up in minutes.<span style=""> </span>Better to break down 2 blocks from headquarters than in the middle of the desert!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL42aSkq5Bj5VLDg0pFBMYBD1N49YDPKamadSeYFGXzuoa3roM5QU01JOTOr2dUDSRsx2bPCkTweSc48XyB8LRDTWWySBpSfvselYTYF29gVgqPl6Z9_OLiEtPAvJEcSarlFflV5ixVE/s1600-h/Unimog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL42aSkq5Bj5VLDg0pFBMYBD1N49YDPKamadSeYFGXzuoa3roM5QU01JOTOr2dUDSRsx2bPCkTweSc48XyB8LRDTWWySBpSfvselYTYF29gVgqPl6Z9_OLiEtPAvJEcSarlFflV5ixVE/s320/Unimog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210766399832398322" border="0" /></a>The entire tour is 72 kilometers or about 43 miles.<span style=""> </span>Given we made a loop (roughly speaking) we drove about 21 miles into the wilderness.<span style=""> </span>The first few miles were on paved road but we were soon on sand and dirt and I was glad we were in a 4 x 4.<span style=""> </span>After a couple of more miles civilization disappeared – I mean there was nothing but the occasional “ranch”.<span style=""> </span>These ranches were modest at best and their cattle were allowed to freely roam to search for whatever food they could find.<span style=""> </span>By the looks of some of the cows, they weren’t finding much.<span style=""> </span>Jose Luis gave us a running commentary on the flora and fauna as we rode.<span style=""> </span>He also told us about the history of Cabo and the surrounding region.<span style=""> </span>At one point, we stopped and got out of the trucks so we could see up close some of the species of cactus, trees.<span style=""> </span>He even showed us the amazing echo one could achieve in the valley by yelling really loud – though the echo did sound more like our driver Ivan than Jose.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqHDH5-8ZGWUn-PC4COS4Zolf2W8tFN2d2oEk1PET2uusbrd1Box2M8phs7oH9FV14B4MwnCqStZetzMzRxk5lK3JX6FsNQmpOLe8_zglLXZWajyiMEFm0OUX_U0Cv9VXk3tjeI8mA0o/s1600-h/Tequila_Tasting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqHDH5-8ZGWUn-PC4COS4Zolf2W8tFN2d2oEk1PET2uusbrd1Box2M8phs7oH9FV14B4MwnCqStZetzMzRxk5lK3JX6FsNQmpOLe8_zglLXZWajyiMEFm0OUX_U0Cv9VXk3tjeI8mA0o/s320/Tequila_Tasting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210765911927289090" border="0" /></a>After awhile we arrived at the ranch where we had our lunch.<span style=""> </span>There were nice, clean restroom facilities there as well.<span style=""> </span>First though we had the opportunity to feed some of the baby goats there corn tortillas.<span style=""> </span>We “Frisbee” tossed the tortillas over the fence, much to the delight of the goats.<span style=""> </span>Next up was the tequila tasting.<span style=""> </span>We were all given small little ceramic tasting cups on a ribbon that fit around our neck (our souvenirs).<span style=""> </span>We taste white and gold tequila, both made from 100% blue agave and mescale tequila, which is made from green agave.<span style=""> </span>I liked them all and was ready for more.<span style=""> </span>We also got to try blue agave syrup, which was excellent…lighter than honey.<span style=""> </span>Jose compared it to maple syrup.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JtAYETqoBzD3B2sx33XOfIlE9xW-RUhf2n_HqxRB-x0aU6jTU9JfGXp00-9j_uG1TrpKQ9v0c-NLfG3bytid2TFlmd6gjcR5mZi-P_mhp0ie-eL77OGrM0RBX7ndufVh8kIWX4WBxDY/s1600-h/Lunch_Buffet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JtAYETqoBzD3B2sx33XOfIlE9xW-RUhf2n_HqxRB-x0aU6jTU9JfGXp00-9j_uG1TrpKQ9v0c-NLfG3bytid2TFlmd6gjcR5mZi-P_mhp0ie-eL77OGrM0RBX7ndufVh8kIWX4WBxDY/s320/Lunch_Buffet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210764635879725666" border="0" /></a>We then moved over to another area where Jose Luis showed us how the natives used to grind corn hominy and made tortillas.<span style=""> </span>He worked up a pretty good sweat raking and crushing the hominy until he had a nice ball of corn “dough”, which he patted out into a tortilla.<span style=""> </span>Our final activity at the ranch was lunch and it was yummy.<span style=""> </span>We had chicken mole, seasoned beef, refried beans, cactus salad, soft drinks, beer and some other stuff that I’m forgetting.<span style=""> </span>Excellent!<span style=""> </span>We finished off the tour by taking the quick route back…first through the backcountry and then on to the highway.<span style=""> </span>Once we hit the pavement, Jose Luis opened up the “bar” in the back and we had one final toast to our fellow tourists and to our tour guide and driver.<span style=""> </span>A fitting end to a wonderful tour.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Once back onboard, we took advantage of the nice, warm weather and sunned up on Deck 10 and then snuck in a nap afterwards.<span style=""> </span>The highlight of the evening was a marriage proposal during the Ron Pearson (comedian) show.<span style=""> </span>The groom had arranged to be picked out of the audience by Ron and put on the spot to ask his girlfriend of 2.5 years to marry him.<span style=""> </span>After offering him $21.29 out of his pocket, a Disney cap and bottle of champagne from backstage and various and sundry items donated by the audience, the guy finally said he didn’t have a ring.<span style=""> </span>Ron then pulled the ring out of his pocket and handed it to the guy.<span style=""> </span>He proposed and I’m pretty sure she accepted.<span style=""> </span>This was Virgil’s (WVMD from the DIS Board) son, I believe.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtMWvy851w2bINInW7fPLtsUd_KFICH-M49vkU1w1sJqZscFA2Onldwae2R49aKTzY2sSAB2iJH1CKZ6qrXtqSueymT3BVAk2uq0jbfEXzZZhVYEspL6FQrAXkWBYwVYB95TTKcgtEcs/s1600-h/Palo_Family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtMWvy851w2bINInW7fPLtsUd_KFICH-M49vkU1w1sJqZscFA2Onldwae2R49aKTzY2sSAB2iJH1CKZ6qrXtqSueymT3BVAk2uq0jbfEXzZZhVYEspL6FQrAXkWBYwVYB95TTKcgtEcs/s320/Palo_Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211142330392813218" border="0" /></a>Next was dinner at Palo, the exclusive adult-only restaurant on the Magic. Katy has really been looking forward to dining here since she's turned 18. Our server was Toni (he was a guy) and he did a good job of tending to our every request. Susan and I stuck with our usual filet mignon and Katy had the lobster ravioli. For dessert, we all had the chocolate souffle and then thought about the dessert we promised to eat for Brian so we got these. We're thinking of you son! Tomorrow, is <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mazatlan</st1:place></st1:city>!</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hURvVikaN2LrVUT4yayIhgL1V3xPlhdRb6QHRRmTWvY2joOZ_5ML3iTkgMxCYHZKus81oDYn3Fq6Tz0yt9D3BIK18ZN7n6FPEX_l9puNIaN04Pk3cWBjtqP_WpWLjGmyeXtZIQfAb7k/s1600-h/Chocolate_Madness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hURvVikaN2LrVUT4yayIhgL1V3xPlhdRb6QHRRmTWvY2joOZ_5ML3iTkgMxCYHZKus81oDYn3Fq6Tz0yt9D3BIK18ZN7n6FPEX_l9puNIaN04Pk3cWBjtqP_WpWLjGmyeXtZIQfAb7k/s320/Chocolate_Madness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211143601172046258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v3PcDexY4xSmWjLr7TPgCo9gVkwwrmu-i9XHosb3uAKGjX6yAKzjUVTox1x-I9cNEbyvwNi2LSJXDXOu3ZFnAZvdWoHpPNnUaKcsX7tIj39EyX-hoMB0BFuQW5j9nuWxFcxwtY-B2pk/s1600-h/Gelato.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v3PcDexY4xSmWjLr7TPgCo9gVkwwrmu-i9XHosb3uAKGjX6yAKzjUVTox1x-I9cNEbyvwNi2LSJXDXOu3ZFnAZvdWoHpPNnUaKcsX7tIj39EyX-hoMB0BFuQW5j9nuWxFcxwtY-B2pk/s320/Gelato.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211144604307969650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4oFdjJo9bqqkur9s6gB6gHrm1MQf9PJDHv7U1iwxEfCKTckMownt9GyFUuyay-W8l1LVeaJt3FFXDbt_5ljNgx4ICBv9viy9hOhEzdAFBHmV3Z_57CyiP4Zab24NihYKkahgyLIYvu0/s1600-h/Cabo_Jose_Luis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4oFdjJo9bqqkur9s6gB6gHrm1MQf9PJDHv7U1iwxEfCKTckMownt9GyFUuyay-W8l1LVeaJt3FFXDbt_5ljNgx4ICBv9viy9hOhEzdAFBHmV3Z_57CyiP4Zab24NihYKkahgyLIYvu0/s320/Cabo_Jose_Luis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210761879038483458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXRZ7FQzbXugQElkkr2WlrUXQ7l1rDX7gEBgmg44Eirr2nGbhZ-LpMeQKwkacV6iX4LaUI1Qh9p7ZXbnjh3sqyedWZmHfztvCuNNizYAJwIUh_EhNKOTFtEKKG0q3sZR0u66SuQN8wik/s1600-h/Making_Tortillas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXRZ7FQzbXugQElkkr2WlrUXQ7l1rDX7gEBgmg44Eirr2nGbhZ-LpMeQKwkacV6iX4LaUI1Qh9p7ZXbnjh3sqyedWZmHfztvCuNNizYAJwIUh_EhNKOTFtEKKG0q3sZR0u66SuQN8wik/s320/Making_Tortillas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210764057917013122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDjY3LXEcBmVJ8_-AQSUvZq8aV2I7NUtp54QWS3MFtdM2MGvO0PZImg5zf4kNLgOvbIyby2KOf_XVAHl2ubohec0H7iVsOQ0rOTPlr4nMRXRxljLfl56u8evrT7lIqLl8R7NRI_xv6ck/s1600-h/Magic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDjY3LXEcBmVJ8_-AQSUvZq8aV2I7NUtp54QWS3MFtdM2MGvO0PZImg5zf4kNLgOvbIyby2KOf_XVAHl2ubohec0H7iVsOQ0rOTPlr4nMRXRxljLfl56u8evrT7lIqLl8R7NRI_xv6ck/s320/Magic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210765080682510242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4oFdjJo9bqqkur9s6gB6gHrm1MQf9PJDHv7U1iwxEfCKTckMownt9GyFUuyay-W8l1LVeaJt3FFXDbt_5ljNgx4ICBv9viy9hOhEzdAFBHmV3Z_57CyiP4Zab24NihYKkahgyLIYvu0/s1600-h/Cabo_Jose_Luis.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-58190024446176495902008-06-11T17:18:00.006-05:002008-12-09T07:15:01.646-06:00Day at Sea & Formal Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg550m-0prAq1jXDkjRqkbpzansQ1I4acvD1CCBkXB2QtSCX-AuU1Q3hCZU53Btt7v49ebPv-wJ0Q9VAf3na23wUEbllOFBSZJPhjQcLi4DsVaOuPWdzCEMJS1wMKL0-raiVVIL0YvYrls/s1600-h/Cruise_Poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg550m-0prAq1jXDkjRqkbpzansQ1I4acvD1CCBkXB2QtSCX-AuU1Q3hCZU53Btt7v49ebPv-wJ0Q9VAf3na23wUEbllOFBSZJPhjQcLi4DsVaOuPWdzCEMJS1wMKL0-raiVVIL0YvYrls/s320/Cruise_Poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210754078526342786" border="0" /></a>As you all can tell, I'm behind on blogging - about two days. We just got back from a 7 hour tour of Mazatlan, the girls are taking naps and I'm trying to catch up! Anyway, here's our first day at sea, which turned out to be pretty cool (68 F)...too cool for us to be hanging out by the pool. Per the Disney cruise staff, this has been the pattern on each of the two previous cruises too. Warmer weather is ahead though...but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Back to Monday.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp45-2tgFRS73bJtT9JoFqsEREe09kmkvcfYAB65FE_Hc2VFoeQhWOe2oPLAASoLjkE6t1Fg_bogm7HdSHghE0f0S3nSTtWcKnAAMDv6g_akMUnGTBpdNSWH5b1hEJVonzpZpV2LOqyHI/s1600-h/Wine_Tasting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp45-2tgFRS73bJtT9JoFqsEREe09kmkvcfYAB65FE_Hc2VFoeQhWOe2oPLAASoLjkE6t1Fg_bogm7HdSHghE0f0S3nSTtWcKnAAMDv6g_akMUnGTBpdNSWH5b1hEJVonzpZpV2LOqyHI/s320/Wine_Tasting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210754410674888418" border="0" /></a>Today was a day for relaxing and getting reacquainted with the ship.<span style=""> </span>Our first event for the day was the Castaway Club (repeat Disney cruisers) meet and greet in Rockin Bar D.<span style=""> </span>Here we got to meet our substitute Captain (Captain Tom is on vacation), eat some snacks and enter ourselves into the drawing for free Castaway Club clocks.<span style=""> </span>Next up were “Art of Entertaining” sessions on cake and plate decorating and napkin folding in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Studio</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Sea</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>I thought the chef (from <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>) doing the decorating was less than enthusiastic about the task and really didn’t show any really cool techniques.<span style=""> </span>The young lady doing the napkin folding was much better but still frustratingly fast at the end of each folding.<span style=""> </span>Luckily we came away with step by step instructions with which to practice.<span style=""> </span>Next up was a wine tasting in Sessions Lounge.<span style=""> </span>Susan and I always enjoy drinking wine so this was a winner.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ai2dPASz1GxU4JpDzTnN9RueA_3euqxsKd816e_O2_3AtgGO1AY0ONoUt44BIb3sEMryAViJUbtuiNV05AhmGjpRwoc4mLDAcLgLPIqxfdkCarDufrmMggdkOzab29vIp6bV_pgQ_T0/s1600-h/Susan_Katy_Formal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ai2dPASz1GxU4JpDzTnN9RueA_3euqxsKd816e_O2_3AtgGO1AY0ONoUt44BIb3sEMryAViJUbtuiNV05AhmGjpRwoc4mLDAcLgLPIqxfdkCarDufrmMggdkOzab29vIp6bV_pgQ_T0/s320/Susan_Katy_Formal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210754699914714882" border="0" /></a>Monday night was also Formal Night, which meant dressing up and going around the ship getting our picture made against various backdrops.<span style=""> </span>The evening was capped off with the theatrical show “Golden Mickeys” in the Walt Disney Theatre and dinner in Lumiere’s.<span style=""> </span>Tomorrow is Cabo San Lucas.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898267938051434993.post-4754283442539509562008-06-10T09:12:00.006-05:002008-12-09T07:15:03.540-06:00Hello California!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N43yHGOUmudFTXNlEX9fiQvvjo_iHb5-gEtFU3kM8sgnXwPZSyIYuPk0bdV1J0YHOqHqZ5dyAJ2j47ZbPextMIKT5WFNcbidszL3nJTbU88aeNa1dP8WXrsQ-xJgBKIbltulYuj45_8/s1600-h/P1020595s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N43yHGOUmudFTXNlEX9fiQvvjo_iHb5-gEtFU3kM8sgnXwPZSyIYuPk0bdV1J0YHOqHqZ5dyAJ2j47ZbPextMIKT5WFNcbidszL3nJTbU88aeNa1dP8WXrsQ-xJgBKIbltulYuj45_8/s320/P1020595s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210369061487209298" border="0" /></a>Hello, Jeff here.<span style=""> </span>Our trip from <st1:city st="on">Huntsville</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Alabama</st1:state> to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Ontario</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place> was, thankfully, uneventful.<span style=""> </span>We did have some moderate turbulence when departing <st1:city st="on">Denver</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Colorado</st1:state> as we were climbing up over the <st1:place st="on">Rocky Mountains</st1:place> but it wasn’t enough to cause any in our party to get sick.<span style=""> </span>Susan’s Uncle Danny and Aunt Marilyn picked us up at the airport, took us to their lovely home in Mira Loma, fed us a wonderful supper (lasagna) and let us spend the night with them.<span style=""> </span>We also met their dog Henry – a Dalmation mix breed.<span style=""> </span>Henry is a friendly dog that likes to lean up against you while you pet him.<span style=""> </span>Susan’s cousin Kathy also came over to visit and eat dinner with us.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal">Kathy took Susan and Katy to the store to pick up some cold medicine and nail polish.<span style=""> </span>How we packed four suitcases to the brim and forgot those I’m not sure.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span><span style=""> </span>We chatted a while longer and then the hour and time change caught up to us and we had to call it a night.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8LYfYOjtAzTv042rRpqQe1WrA1I7zswFXL8ochZqKiX353W-AwmDJ48AOpnwIvkraHkgiwqsl4hp0ojaRyHZmJg-23mK-RGqCbk4omPVcC1m9i-ICQAguKe5EpQ6sZzEGnGkdZMQdNY/s1600-h/P1020589s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8LYfYOjtAzTv042rRpqQe1WrA1I7zswFXL8ochZqKiX353W-AwmDJ48AOpnwIvkraHkgiwqsl4hp0ojaRyHZmJg-23mK-RGqCbk4omPVcC1m9i-ICQAguKe5EpQ6sZzEGnGkdZMQdNY/s320/P1020589s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210368566349670770" border="0" /></a>We were up plenty early Sunday morning.<span style=""> </span>Danny, the breakfast master, was gracious enough to cook us all breakfast.<span style=""> </span>We had scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, toast, juice and coffee.<span style=""> </span>Danny serenaded Katy with the tune “Blood on the Saddle”.<span style=""> </span>I took the camera outside and photographed their beautiful front yard and flowerbeds.<span style=""> </span>Marilyn has some gorgeous roses and cute topiaries (donkey, giraffe and swan).<span style=""> </span>I also learned that lime and grapefruit trees have thorns on them.<span style=""> </span>Ouch!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At 10:15, we all piled into their Honda CR-V and headed for the cruise ship terminal.<span style=""> </span>It took us about an hour as we pulled up in front of the terminal at 11:15.<span style=""> </span>We said our goodbyes and learned from one of the baggage handlers that the ship returned to port around 6:30 am but whomever was picking us up should wait until about 9:30 or 9:45 to come get us (if we weren’t in a hurry).<span style=""> </span>That way the crowds would have died down.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfwhy70Vo4_Im0gz5El9b8o5VdYZNUKAG0UgE2256IQyqkRttHSS3ftNUWqv4CsW0IRNbmDqHSQ76LnzwqrrAwft8FBGmXkJj4XbsXpkvPBTWFe4nQKfYS-bfpvUiVPJs4aVWZ-lWIzU/s1600-h/P1020601s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfwhy70Vo4_Im0gz5El9b8o5VdYZNUKAG0UgE2256IQyqkRttHSS3ftNUWqv4CsW0IRNbmDqHSQ76LnzwqrrAwft8FBGmXkJj4XbsXpkvPBTWFe4nQKfYS-bfpvUiVPJs4aVWZ-lWIzU/s320/P1020601s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210369074680365442" border="0" /></a>Embarkation was a snap for us.<span style=""> </span>We got into a short line in the Castaway Club members area (for repeat Disney cruisers) and had completed check-in within 15 minutes.<span style=""> </span>We were given a boarding card with the number 7 on it.<span style=""> </span>Then it was just a matter of waiting for our boarding number to be called.<span style=""> </span>The first number (1) was called at 11:35.<span style=""> </span>Our number was called at 11:50.<span style=""> </span>Every guest has to go through a security screening station, very much like that at airports where they x-ray your bags and use metal detectors to check the people.<span style=""> </span>At least they don’t make you take off your shoes.<span style=""> </span>The final check-in station is a scan of your plastic cruise cards (that you received at check-in) and you’re aboard.<span style=""> </span>Total time for us was from when we arrived to walking on the ship was 45 minutes.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNSj6QIpEAc5ou4h3ZR_Q7GxoAd3roQ0k1A2QzfPbFzb-SY_NxHq0x0nPAQignMQClH0lTH64oMW0e72-1MW8BalTb4I7MYAmPihMPniUEivk5s4RQphST36l6H8h2963YYnto3Q4pgg/s1600-h/P1020608s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNSj6QIpEAc5ou4h3ZR_Q7GxoAd3roQ0k1A2QzfPbFzb-SY_NxHq0x0nPAQignMQClH0lTH64oMW0e72-1MW8BalTb4I7MYAmPihMPniUEivk5s4RQphST36l6H8h2963YYnto3Q4pgg/s320/P1020608s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210372739440421938" border="0" /></a>Once aboard, we made our way to Topsiders Buffet, where we chowed down on some yummy food and desserts.<span style=""> </span>Afterwards, we wandered around the ship, killing time until 2 pm when our stateroom was ready for us to enter.<span style=""> </span>Our bags soon arrived and we spent the next hour unpacking.<span style=""> </span>As I mentioned in the first entry, we’d been upgraded from a Category 12 inside room to a Category 9 outside deluxe room.<span style=""> </span>The deluxe room is 20 square feet larger (214 ft2) than the standard room and we had a nice large port hole to look out.<span style=""> </span>The biggest difference though was the split bathroom.<span style=""> </span>One bath has the toilet and a sink/mirror in it and the other has the shower and another sink and mirror in it.<span style=""> </span>Traveling with two women who spend a lot of time in front of the mirror getting “beautiful” can make it tough on a guy trying to shave/shower.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI0-vZIBS4rkxlhevpvNKdk5gLXZJP4yt6sp2P8rWVXlRzpXP0uRltk52dRW2S1QU100AA3G4K2mIEsd3fWFT06QfZNaLTbJXcy0faNiTZAMQOSxO_A1n7Koi1qfWu7PFmHOUPtytkws/s1600-h/Life+Vests.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI0-vZIBS4rkxlhevpvNKdk5gLXZJP4yt6sp2P8rWVXlRzpXP0uRltk52dRW2S1QU100AA3G4K2mIEsd3fWFT06QfZNaLTbJXcy0faNiTZAMQOSxO_A1n7Koi1qfWu7PFmHOUPtytkws/s320/Life+Vests.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210377177972662322" border="0" /></a>We’d just finished unpacking and stowing the suitcases when it was time for the mandatory evacuation drill.<span style=""> </span>We donned our life vests and made our way to Station L.<span style=""> </span>The crew does take roll of each cabin’s occupants so they do know if you don’t show and I’m sure will contact those who don’t attend.<span style=""> </span>After the drill, it was time to set sail.<span style=""> </span>We pulled away from the dock at about 4:15 pm and were on our way.<span style=""> </span>Tomorrow is a day at sea as we make our way down to our first port – Cabo San Lucas.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R4p7MijDN59j4tqq2zxCYd46zTl4eZ29r50jz-vGy6yxj7yvku0eWx61jZ0gZF2cNASk3WmnPCIwh_vr2Sak69S2CKVYvSbrj-Ver-5yl84H-Hb2u-m5cHKpcpMwcUOeFe613s5daZE/s1600-h/P1020603s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R4p7MijDN59j4tqq2zxCYd46zTl4eZ29r50jz-vGy6yxj7yvku0eWx61jZ0gZF2cNASk3WmnPCIwh_vr2Sak69S2CKVYvSbrj-Ver-5yl84H-Hb2u-m5cHKpcpMwcUOeFe613s5daZE/s320/P1020603s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210369082034179490" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7